Who We Are
Started by a sarcoma survivor. Run by volunteers. We book flights, hotels, and rides so sarcoma patients can access the specialist centers that treat their cancer.
Why sarcoma. Why travel.
Sarcoma is one of the rarest forms of cancer, accounting for roughly 1% of all adult malignancies. Studies show 54% of osteosarcoma cases are initially misdiagnosed, and over 40% of pathology results change when reviewed by a sarcoma specialist. Effective treatment requires multidisciplinary teams with deep subspecialty experience, and those teams are concentrated at specialist centers that most patients don’t live near.
What that means in practice: a patient diagnosed in a rural area or a small city may not have access to a specialist sarcoma team. The right diagnosis, the right surgical margin, the right chemo protocol all require a center with deep sarcoma expertise, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Insurance doesn’t cover the gas, the flights, or the hotel stays.
Austin Henry had osteosarcoma while serving in the Navy. After treatment, he saw a clear need for an organization that helps sarcoma patients cover the cost of getting to a specialist. So he built one.
32% Lower Death Risk
Patients treated at specialist sarcoma centers have a 32% lower risk of death, 35% lower risk of local recurrence, and are 2.7x more likely to achieve clean surgical margins.
54% Misdiagnosed Initially
Over half of osteosarcoma cases are initially misdiagnosed. More than 40% of pathology results change on specialist review. The right center changes everything.
Founded by a Survivor
Austin Henry had osteosarcoma on active duty and started this fund after seeing what travel costs do to patients.
Sarcoma-Specific
We focus on sarcoma patients, all subtypes, because this community is underserved and its needs are distinct.
Every dollar goes to patient travel. Nothing else.
No paid staff. No administrative overhead on grants. We pay vendors directly so patients never front costs or wait for reimbursement.
- 01Direct Payment
We book and pay airlines, hotels, and rides directly. No cash to patients.
- 02Clinical Oversight
Our medical advisory board reviews grant eligibility and verifies specialist centers.
- 03All-Volunteer
No paid staff. Every dollar donated goes to patient travel.
- 04Fast Review
Target turnaround: 48 to 72 hours from application to decision. Urgent cases are expedited.
Three commitments we never compromise on.
We wrote these before we accepted a single donation.
Dignity
Short application. No public story required.
Our application is short, respectful, and asks only what we need to make a decision. We don't ask patients to share their story publicly, justify their illness, or prove they "deserve" help. A diagnosis and a travel distance is enough.
Speed
48-72 hours because time matters.
Cancer treatment doesn't wait for committee schedules. Our target is 48 to 72 hours from application to decision, with every grant reviewed by our full three-member board. In urgent cases where surgery or a first oncology appointment is imminent, we expedite. Bureaucracy kills momentum. We move fast.
Transparency
Direct payment, visible accounting.
We pay vendors directly so funds can't be spent on anything other than travel. We maintain clear records of every grant and publish aggregate spending data. Donors deserve to see their money at work, and patients deserve to know we're accountable.
Founded by a survivor. Built for patients.
Austin Henry was diagnosed with osteosarcoma while serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy. His experience navigating treatment, the choices, the costs, the barriers, became the blueprint for this fund.
Read Austin’s full story
Austin Henry
Founder & Executive Director
U.S. Navy Veteran · Osteosarcoma Survivor · San Diego, CA
Organization Facts
- Legal nameBeat the Odds Sarcoma Fund
- Tax status501(c)(3) Pending
- EIN41-4419409
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Service areaU.S. patients (Year 1)
- Staff modelAll-volunteer
Interested in volunteering or partnering?
We welcome oncology social workers, patient advocates, and mission-aligned partners. Reach out and let’s talk.
Contact UsTake the next step
Apply for a grant or support a patient who needs one.
If you or a loved one has sarcoma and needs to travel for specialized treatment, we may be able to help. The application is free and takes about 15 minutes.