Known for her quick wit and caring nature, 12-year-old Lauren Felzer is a dedicated dancer and horseback rider with a vibrant spirit and a heart full of kindness.
“We call her our sweet baby,” says Lauren’s mom, Sara. "She has an incredible sense of humor, loves laughing with friends and is always quick to help others."
Lauren had been on a competition dance team since she was six years old and practiced five nights a week. When she began experiencing leg and knee pain in the fall of 2023, Sara and her husband, Paul, initially attributed Lauren’s discomfort to her active lifestyle.
But in January 2024, when a lump appeared on Lauren’s leg, her parents knew it was time to seek medical advice. Within 72 hours of an MRI, the Felzer family received the devastating news that Lauren had a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma.
“It all happened so fast,” Sara recalls. “I was overwhelmed with a rush of emotions that don’t typically go together – terrified of the unknown and what-ifs, and grateful that we caught it early and could start treatment right away."
Lauren, who was 11 years old at the time, was filled with fear when she learned about her diagnosis.
"She was asking us questions about her future that we didn’t have the answers to," Sara says. "As her parents, it was incredibly hard to navigate those conversations.”
Lauren was referred to Dr. Erin Trovillion, a pediatric oncologist at Atrium Health Levine Children’s in Charlotte, to discuss next steps for her treatment.
Sara says Lauren was really scared up until the moment they walked through the doors of Levine Children's Hospital, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 10 pediatric specialties, including cancer. Levine Children’s Hospital is also ranked the No. 1 children's hospital in North Carolina and home to ARISE Cancer Consortium™, working toward a cure, while improving research, treatment and supportive care for pediatric cancer patients.
“When we arrived, a child life specialist immediately started talking with her and put her at ease. Then when Dr. Trovillion came into the room, she scooted her chair right up to Lauren, looked her in the eyes, and started talking to her with such a motherly kindness it made me tear up. It was truly beautiful.”
Treatments and triumphs
Ewing sarcoma, which represents about 1% of childhood cancers, requires prompt and aggressive treatment. Lauren was treated as part of the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare and Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children's, which delivers innovative therapies for a variety of tumors. Her battle included seven months of intense chemotherapy and an eight-hour limb-salvage surgery to remove the tumor and replace her femur and knee.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges of her treatment and recovery, Lauren’s determination never wavered. Following her surgery, she quickly resumed the basic activities needed for discharge. Lauren was able to go home on April 27 – her 12th birthday.
After working hard with her physical therapy team at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation Huntersville, Lauren was off crutches and fully weight-bearing in just 12 weeks. Then, on August 30, the Felzer family reached the moment they had been waiting for – Lauren was able to ring the bell to symbolize the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
"It’s been a long road, but we’re so excited that she has reached this milestone," Sara says. “I’m immensely proud of how Lauren has handled every challenge along the way. She's just an extraordinary child and hasn't really complained about anything – she's a total champion."
A village of care
Reflecting on their journey, Sara is grateful for the support from Lauren’s care team at Levine Children’s.
“They saved my baby’s life,” Sara says. "Each person who worked with us at Levine Children’s has had their own personal experience with cancer. That comes out in how they work with patients and families. You can just tell they get it, they hear you, and it helps to know they understand on a personal level what we were going through. We are so fortunate to have this level of care right here in Charlotte."
Embracing a new normal
Sara says that throughout Lauren’s treatment, she and Paul aimed to provide her with a sense of normalcy. Lauren kept up with her schoolwork remotely, had friends over to visit, and went to her dance studio to watch her friends practice.
“We have prioritized her physical health, since her immune system has been compromised with the treatment,” Sara says. “But emotional and mental well-being are important, too. So we tried to balance keeping her healthy with providing her opportunities to stay connected.”
After being out of school since January, Lauren recently attended her school’s open house and met her new teachers, who are eager to welcome her back. Lauren is thrilled to start seventh grade and is looking forward to the day she can rejoin her friends on the dance floor.
As Lauren transitions into survivorship with the support of her team at Levine Children’s, which provides the most comprehensive survivorship program for pediatric patients in the area, her next steps will include regular scans to monitor for recurrence. But for now, her family is focused on celebrating every milestone and cherishing their time together. With a special family trip on the horizon and Lauren’s excitement to return to all the things that bring her joy, the future looks bright for this remarkable young girl who has danced through the storm.
