Charlotte was athletic, creative, brave and lots of fun to be around. She had a fierce competitive spirit and she was a believer. She loved sports, movies, shopping, the beach, cooking, golfing, sewing, traveling and spending time with her friends and family, especially her twin brother, Matthew, and her older sister, Maggie.
In July 2018, a week shy of her 15th birthday, Charlotte was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right femur, just above her knee. She endured toxic chemotherapy, limb-salvage surgery and dozens of transfusions over the course of 10 months. Charlotte spent nearly 80 nights in the hospital at UCSF. She had so much love, prayers and support to get her through a very challenging year. After completing her treatment and proudly ringing the bell in March 2019, Charlotte focused on aggressive physical therapy and returning to teenage life. She successfully tackled her freshman classes from the hospital bed or home sofa, and she completed her sophomore year of high school both at school and at home (due to the pandemic). In February 2020, Charlotte's osteosarcoma relapsed in her right lung. It was surgically removed and she received another chemotherapy combination at UCSF. More toxicities, side effects and surgeries ensued, but she met the challenges with strength and tenacity, determined to get back to enjoying life as a teenager. In November 2020, her previous chemo drugs failed her again, and she experienced a third relapse, this time in both lungs. She received inpatient chemotherapy treatments at UCSF for five months and handled it with true grit. In the spring of 2021 Charlotte completed a CAR T clinical trial at Seattle Children's Hospital. Toxicities from harsh treatments set her back, but she kept a positive attitude with her infectious smile. Sadly, none of the treatments worked and she passed away in September 2021. She was involved with "Battle Osteosarcoma," a fundraising effort that has raised over $1,400,000 for osteosarcoma research for The Sweet-Cordero Lab at UCSF. With the support of St. Baldrick's, this grant will help improve treatment and outcomes for kids battling this horrible disease. She's used her experience to help other kids who are fighting cancer, and she started a sewing company, @thatssewchar, where she donated funds to Battle Osteosarcoma and MIB Agents.
