Thirty-one people from across the country met in Madison this weekend to hold a reunion for "bonecancerdogs," a support group for people who own dogs with bone cancer.
Bonecancerdogs was founded in 2004 and has more than 1,900 members around the world. The group holds reunions in different locations across the country every year and decided to come to Madison this year, in part because of the reputation of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.
According to Ana Cilursu, cofounder of bonecancerdogs, the group's mission is to provide awareness, education and support for people who are dealing with bone cancer in their dogs.
"People can come to our site and post questions or concerns they have, or just find out more information about types of chemotherapy," Cilursu said. "It can show people you're not alone in this."
The reunion started on Thursday, and on Friday, members visited the School of Veterinary Medicine to attend a lecture by veterinary oncologist Ruthanne Chun.
Chun discussed factors that put dogs at risk of bone cancer and treatment options available for owners. She said there were about 12,000 diagnosed cases of canine osteosarcoma per year in the United States.
Bonecancerdog member Hope Lisle drove from Colorado to attend the reunion. She came with her 9-year-old bulldog Lily, who was diagnosed with bone cancer about two years ago. Lily has been through 14 rounds of chemotherapy and four surgeries. She has lost one of her front legs, but Lisle said none of this has decreased Lily's love of life.
"She's been the bravest thing throughout all of it," Lisle said. "It's almost like she knows she's had cancer and survived. She acts so much happier than my other two dogs."
Lisle said bonecancerdogs has been a great source of support and information for her as she's dealt with Lily's disease.
"When you get emotional, it helps to have other people who have gone through the same thing," she said.
Barbara Lett, who lost her dog Skylar to bone cancer five years ago, traveled from New York to attend the reunion. Lett is still an active member of bonecancerdogs, and she attributes this to the deep friendships she's made with other group members over the years.
"Osteosarcoma is such an emotionally devastating disease, the physical tolls are dramatic, the choices are horrendous," Lett said. "It's an emotional journey. You develop an amazing empathy for other people going through it."
In addition to visting the veterinary school, the group has plans for a cookout and other activities today, culminating with a memorial ceremony tonight for dogs who have died.
In addition to being a support group, bonecancerdogs has a nonprofit arm that seeks to raise money for canine bone cancer research. For more information, visit http://bonecancerdogs.org/.
