Real Patients - Real Stories

Janet Walko

A Patient Wise Beyond Her Years

Janet Walko is a 19-year-old survivor of osteosargenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. She currently works with a non-profit organization called Base Camp, a group that provides monthly social outings and support to siblings and families affected by pediatric cancer. Janet's experience with cancer has impacted her long-term career aspirations – she has been inspired to start school at Valencia Community College and become a radiology technician.

"I want to be able to teach people that they should not be scared to talk about cancer because discussion is the first step towards better understanding the disease. When I was going through it, I didn't have that many people to talk to and I know what a difference it can make so I continue to devote volunteer time towards educating others," says Janet.

"Dr. Letson believed that chemotherapy, surgery and a bone implant could save my life and my leg and I was implanted with the Stryker GMRS™ system in my right proximal tibia. It's true these treatments were lifesavers. The care I received from Dr. Letson and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research were equally important. Dr. Letson wasn't just my doctor but my friend – he gave me his home phone number and a bicycle for rehab. Arnold Palmer taught me that happy thoughts make happy cells and helped me keep happy thoughts in my head all the time."

"It's been several years now since the surgery and the implant has given me a new perspective on life. Because of it I can still roll over and step out of bed on my own two feet and I still have my own leg and my own knee. I have made it a part of my life and have learned to be a go getter no matter what."

"I can't express enough gratitude to Dr. Letson, Moffitt and the makers of my implant – Stryker. What the company is doing means so much to so many different people. They helped give me my life back!"