Sarah Gardner Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Full Story can be found on Sarah Gardner's Instagram Account: @smashsarcoma
Sarah Ewell Gardner becomes a hero to anyone who finds her story, showing the world what it means to live graciously and courageously until the very end. On April 20th, 2021 @ 8:10pm ET Sarah took her last breath. Leaving her husband and 2 little children to carry forward.
This Go Fund Me effort is to support Sarah’s family with funeral costs, day care, and help make possible a relocation to Utah from Michigan to be closer to family for support.
Atlas Gardner (Son, age 4)
Everest Rose Gardner (Daughter, age 2)
Flint Gardner (Husband, age 29)
During Sarah’s last days, a tribute of Sarah's heroism was miraculously created within just 48 hours. As dozens seized the moment. See for yourself on Sarah's Instagram account. As we encourage all to visit Sarah’s personal Instagram Account to capture her true story @smashsarcoma
Here is a timeline highlighting Sarah’s journey:
May of 2018, at the age of 27 while pregnant with her second child and first daughter, Sarah developed a swelling in the left leg. Visiting the hospital on two separate occasions, she was told nothing was found and the swelling was likely from the pregnancy. A few months passed and the pain became unbearable, leading to a hospital visit and being transferred to University of Michigan for additional scans and a biopsy. Never to return home again with that carefree, long live, blissful mind one typically enjoys in their twenties.
Sarah was formally diagnosed with metastatic, stage 4, Ewing Sarcoma, having started and spread from her leg to her lungs. Known as pediatric cancer typically found in children.
Life quickly shifted as decisions turned from planning life’s possibilities to surviving the day, sometimes the hour, and often the moment. Yet amidst the endless struggle, Sarah became a beacon to many of grace and grit.
At this time, unborn Everest (Evie they call her) was in the 3rd trimester of development and the decision to deliver Evie early was made with no complications. Bringing life and joy at a time when Sarah and her family were charging into the war with cancer.
Less than 24 hours after the birth of Everest Rose Gardner, Sarah was in a new hospital unit undergoing surgery to place a double port allowing for Chemotherapy, fluids, and other treatments to be infused into her body. Upon awakening she was then administered to the oncology floor for overnight in-patient care (week on week off) where she was infused over a half a dozen different Chemo therapies to 1) shrink the larger mass in her leg and 2) try to prevent further metastatic growth. Sarah’s treatments were aggressive to put it kindly. Suffering from painful side effects such as anal fissures, neuropathy in the fingers and toes, mouth sours the size of craters, and neuro toxicity leading to fainting and hallucinations. Yet she still was elegant and beautiful with her bald but bold new look.
Followed by chemo was radiation to the leg and lungs for local control. Pictures say enough:
Treatments were positive and quarterly scans showed improvement. Sarah and the family never lost hope or their smile as they shared their journey with all. For various reasons, Sarah and Flint took their care from University of Michigan to Primary Children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, UT completing her treatment cycle in 2019. Scans were not able to detect cancer in her lungs and the mass in her leg showed no signs of growth. Giving a brief but rich period of normality for Sarah and the family.
Late February 2020, quarterly scans showed grow down Sarah’s lower same (left) leg. Resulting in a difficult decision to amputate Sarah’s left leg above the knee. Just as COVID 19 began to surface and quickly consume the minds across the world. Leading to an unattended wife as her husband had to wait outside the clinic during an life altering procedure. With hotels locked down, Flint slept in his car outside Cleveland Clinic waiting for a Video Call from the clinic to see Sarah and the result of the procedure:
But that didn’t stop Sarah from being the mom she’d always been and wanted to be. She was still faster than Flint when attending to the kids’ needs. Video of proof, ha.
Only a couple months passed as COVID took the attention of the world, when 3 dams broke uphill from where Flint and Sarah live. Forcing an immediate and mandatory evacuation from their home to find refuge. Midland, MI and surrounding cities had thousands of residents left homeless as homes were lifted from their foundations and countless others were flooded. Sarah and Flint being one of the victims with flood & sewer damage:
Waters receded, dust settled, and Sarah continued to smile and show that happiness is a choice. Becoming a diligent and active source for support with those facing cancer. I have never met someone with the tenacity and grace she demonstrated from loving her children with joy during the day and studying the depths of her medical needs by night. Throwing everything she possible could to give her just one more day with her children. Becoming a source of specialized knowledge to many patients, caregivers, and her doctors.
2020 was tough, but the memories she created with her family were plentiful and precious. Sharing many of them for the world to take part in.
Dec 26, 2020 just after Christmas celebrations Sarah struggles to breath upon waking. Leading to an emergency visit to the hospital only to find fluid had consumed ¾ of Sarah’s right lung and cancer spread throughout. A lung drain was surgically placed in her right lung to address fluid buildup as Sarah undertook targeted radiation to the right lung.
Significant progress was made, lung drain was taken out, and Sarah earned another 3 months of quality time with the family. However, April 2021 Sarah began experiencing shortness of breath again, severe back pain, and lowered oxygen levels. To avoid a possible local ER visit, Sarah and Flint drove to Cleveland Clinic. Later that night around 3 AM, Sarah dropped to a 85% oxygen reading and Flint her to the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Department.
What followed was the most difficult two weeks for Flint, the parents, and family as Sarah battle with angelic might. Yet in these final days and moments, these may have been the sweetest memories and experiences for all to see. One must visit her Instagram to really grasp the beauty of these final days.
Then on April 20th, 2021 @ 8:10 PM ET Sarah Gardner took her last breath in the arms of her relentless and loving husband, her mother as her corner stone of unconditional love and gentleness, her younger sister whose unbreakable bond was threaded by one memory at time, and me, a friendship where lines blurred between family. All in peace, all in comfort, all as Sarah asked. Leaving a legacy and an impact that will live on in her family and all those who she has touched and will touch.
My name is Laura Gallindo, a very dear and close friend of Sarah’s. . . may I even say sister. . . who’s witnessed firsthand how heroic Sarah has been to the world and her family. I want the world to know her story and be touched just as I have been.
Thank you for reading, supporting, following, and sharing her struggle but beautiful story.
Sarah’s own narrative summary can be found on YouTube: Smash Sarcoma YouTube
Sarah Ewell Gardner becomes a hero to anyone who finds her story, showing the world what it means to live graciously and courageously until the very end. On April 20th, 2021 @ 8:10pm ET Sarah took her last breath. Leaving her husband and 2 little children to carry forward.
This Go Fund Me effort is to support Sarah’s family with funeral costs, day care, and help make possible a relocation to Utah from Michigan to be closer to family for support.
Atlas Gardner (Son, age 4)
Everest Rose Gardner (Daughter, age 2)
Flint Gardner (Husband, age 29)
During Sarah’s last days, a tribute of Sarah's heroism was miraculously created within just 48 hours. As dozens seized the moment. See for yourself on Sarah's Instagram account. As we encourage all to visit Sarah’s personal Instagram Account to capture her true story @smashsarcoma
Here is a timeline highlighting Sarah’s journey:
May of 2018, at the age of 27 while pregnant with her second child and first daughter, Sarah developed a swelling in the left leg. Visiting the hospital on two separate occasions, she was told nothing was found and the swelling was likely from the pregnancy. A few months passed and the pain became unbearable, leading to a hospital visit and being transferred to University of Michigan for additional scans and a biopsy. Never to return home again with that carefree, long live, blissful mind one typically enjoys in their twenties.
Sarah was formally diagnosed with metastatic, stage 4, Ewing Sarcoma, having started and spread from her leg to her lungs. Known as pediatric cancer typically found in children.
Life quickly shifted as decisions turned from planning life’s possibilities to surviving the day, sometimes the hour, and often the moment. Yet amidst the endless struggle, Sarah became a beacon to many of grace and grit.
At this time, unborn Everest (Evie they call her) was in the 3rd trimester of development and the decision to deliver Evie early was made with no complications. Bringing life and joy at a time when Sarah and her family were charging into the war with cancer.
Less than 24 hours after the birth of Everest Rose Gardner, Sarah was in a new hospital unit undergoing surgery to place a double port allowing for Chemotherapy, fluids, and other treatments to be infused into her body. Upon awakening she was then administered to the oncology floor for overnight in-patient care (week on week off) where she was infused over a half a dozen different Chemo therapies to 1) shrink the larger mass in her leg and 2) try to prevent further metastatic growth. Sarah’s treatments were aggressive to put it kindly. Suffering from painful side effects such as anal fissures, neuropathy in the fingers and toes, mouth sours the size of craters, and neuro toxicity leading to fainting and hallucinations. Yet she still was elegant and beautiful with her bald but bold new look.
Followed by chemo was radiation to the leg and lungs for local control. Pictures say enough:
Treatments were positive and quarterly scans showed improvement. Sarah and the family never lost hope or their smile as they shared their journey with all. For various reasons, Sarah and Flint took their care from University of Michigan to Primary Children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, UT completing her treatment cycle in 2019. Scans were not able to detect cancer in her lungs and the mass in her leg showed no signs of growth. Giving a brief but rich period of normality for Sarah and the family.
Late February 2020, quarterly scans showed grow down Sarah’s lower same (left) leg. Resulting in a difficult decision to amputate Sarah’s left leg above the knee. Just as COVID 19 began to surface and quickly consume the minds across the world. Leading to an unattended wife as her husband had to wait outside the clinic during an life altering procedure. With hotels locked down, Flint slept in his car outside Cleveland Clinic waiting for a Video Call from the clinic to see Sarah and the result of the procedure:
But that didn’t stop Sarah from being the mom she’d always been and wanted to be. She was still faster than Flint when attending to the kids’ needs. Video of proof, ha.
Only a couple months passed as COVID took the attention of the world, when 3 dams broke uphill from where Flint and Sarah live. Forcing an immediate and mandatory evacuation from their home to find refuge. Midland, MI and surrounding cities had thousands of residents left homeless as homes were lifted from their foundations and countless others were flooded. Sarah and Flint being one of the victims with flood & sewer damage:
Waters receded, dust settled, and Sarah continued to smile and show that happiness is a choice. Becoming a diligent and active source for support with those facing cancer. I have never met someone with the tenacity and grace she demonstrated from loving her children with joy during the day and studying the depths of her medical needs by night. Throwing everything she possible could to give her just one more day with her children. Becoming a source of specialized knowledge to many patients, caregivers, and her doctors.
2020 was tough, but the memories she created with her family were plentiful and precious. Sharing many of them for the world to take part in.
Dec 26, 2020 just after Christmas celebrations Sarah struggles to breath upon waking. Leading to an emergency visit to the hospital only to find fluid had consumed ¾ of Sarah’s right lung and cancer spread throughout. A lung drain was surgically placed in her right lung to address fluid buildup as Sarah undertook targeted radiation to the right lung.
Significant progress was made, lung drain was taken out, and Sarah earned another 3 months of quality time with the family. However, April 2021 Sarah began experiencing shortness of breath again, severe back pain, and lowered oxygen levels. To avoid a possible local ER visit, Sarah and Flint drove to Cleveland Clinic. Later that night around 3 AM, Sarah dropped to a 85% oxygen reading and Flint her to the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Department.
What followed was the most difficult two weeks for Flint, the parents, and family as Sarah battle with angelic might. Yet in these final days and moments, these may have been the sweetest memories and experiences for all to see. One must visit her Instagram to really grasp the beauty of these final days.
Then on April 20th, 2021 @ 8:10 PM ET Sarah Gardner took her last breath in the arms of her relentless and loving husband, her mother as her corner stone of unconditional love and gentleness, her younger sister whose unbreakable bond was threaded by one memory at time, and me, a friendship where lines blurred between family. All in peace, all in comfort, all as Sarah asked. Leaving a legacy and an impact that will live on in her family and all those who she has touched and will touch.
My name is Laura Gallindo, a very dear and close friend of Sarah’s. . . may I even say sister. . . who’s witnessed firsthand how heroic Sarah has been to the world and her family. I want the world to know her story and be touched just as I have been.
Thank you for reading, supporting, following, and sharing her struggle but beautiful story.
Sarah’s own narrative summary can be found on YouTube: Smash Sarcoma YouTube
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Gallindo
Organizer
Midland, MI
Flint Gardner
Beneficiary