From Grief to Action
- Sunita Krishna
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
How Team Arnav Is Fueling Breakthroughs in Osteosarcoma Research
When we started Team Arnav in 2019—just six months after losing Arnav—we did so with a simple hope: that our grief could be transformed into something meaningful, something that might one day save another child’s life. At the time, we couldn’t have imagined the ripple effect those first steps would create.
What makes cancer research so difficult is not just the complexity of the disease—it’s how hard it is to trace your individual impact. But at Team Arnav, we’ve always believed in being transparent about where our supporters' dollars go and how they help drive progress.
Our First Walk, Our First Gift
In 2019, our first fundraising walk raised $13,000. We chose to donate those funds to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where researchers were working on osteosarcoma treatments in dogs. It might sound unusual, but successful canine studies are often one of the first stepping stones toward human clinical trials—especially for rare pediatric cancers like osteosarcoma.
That research helped lay the groundwork for what is now OS Therapies (NYSE: OSTX)—a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing therapies for this devastating disease.
Clinical Milestones That Matter
Fast forward to today: OS Therapies is making major strides.
They’ve scheduled their End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA for August 2025 to review progress on their OST-HER2 program for recurrent, metastatic osteosarcoma.
EMA scientific advice meetings are underway for global regulatory input.
Their OST-504 Phase 1 trial has been completed, with new clinical data expected in the second half of 2025.
To see a company—whose foundations were partially built with Team Arnav’s early contributions—reach this level is more than humbling. It’s validation that our efforts matter.
A $1.5M Push for the Next Breakthrough
Our journey is far from over. That’s why Team Arnav has joined forces with the Osteosarcoma Collaborative, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and several other pediatric cancer organizations to fund a $1.5 million “Fight Osteosarcoma Together” Super Grant.
This grant has been awarded to Dr. Patrick Grohar at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, a leading voice in osteosarcoma research. His team is targeting a particularly aggressive subset of osteosarcoma linked to a gene amplification called MYC, present in 12–39% of patients and tied to poorer outcomes.
Dr. Grohar’s goal is clear: discover effective, targeted therapies that can be used alone, alongside chemotherapy, or to prevent the cancer from spreading. The work is cutting-edge, urgently needed, and deeply aligned with Team Arnav’s mission.
Arnav’s Last Ride Wasn't Just a Race—It Was a Triumph
In 2018, just one day before his relapse, Arnav pushed through immense pain to compete in the 1K time trial at Junior Nationals. His body was failing, but his spirit never wavered. As he crossed the finish line, breathless but triumphant, he said:
"I did it!"
Now, his friend and teammate, Jamie Alvord, is taking that spirit to the track once more. On July 18, 2025, Jamie will attempt to break the 1K time trial record—not for glory, but in Arnav’s memory.
Every dollar raised from this event will fund the “Fight Osteosarcoma Together” Super Grant—fueling research, giving families hope, and bringing us closer to a cure.
Join Us: A Pedal and a Dollar at a Time
We invite you to be part of this powerful tribute. Whether you give, show up, or spread the word, you’re helping carry Arnav’s legacy forward.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate — Help fund life-saving osteosarcoma research
Attend — Join us at the velodrome and cheer Jamie on
Share — Spread Arnav’s story and raise awareness
Let’s drive toward a world where no child is lost to this disease.
One dollar. One pedal. One powerful legacy.
Sunita Krishna
Arnav's Mom and his biggest cheerleader
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