In 2006, Parker Simpson was an active, athletic and academically ambitious high school sophomore when a sports injury to his ankle began a trying medical journey that would test his and his family’s resolve for years to come. Along the way, infections, back surgery, possible amputation, and Stage IV bone cancer overshadowed his prospects for a normal teenage life. In order to save his cancer-ridden arm, Parker’s shoulder and a large part of his humerus were replaced with an allograft bone transplant from a deceased donor. The generosity of the tissue donor allowed Parker to resume his active life. Says Parker, “I know I have endless possibilities now.”

Parker's Story

In 2006, Parker Simpson was an active high school sophomore, ambitious academically and involved in a number of sports including football, lacrosse and wrestling. That year, a sports injury to his ankle developed into osteomyelitis, a staph infection of the bone in his tibia and fibula. It was the beginning of a trying medical journey that would test his resolve and that of his family for years to come.

As a result of the infection, Parker was faced several times with possible amputation of his leg. A successive back injury was further complicated due to the existing illness in his bones. He underwent numerous operations to combat the ankle and back afflictions, resulting in a fused ankle and foot.

In 2008, Parker developed pain in his shoulder that he thought was the result of too much weight lifting or lugging a heavy backpack. An MRI revealed a tumor that doctors presumed to be a result of Parker’s previous osteomyelitis. Following surgery of the tumor, the news worsened. The tumor was not staph-related; it was osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone. The cancer was stage IV when discovered, and had taken hold of Parker’s shoulder joint and moved into both lungs. Within a matter of days, Parker had gone from a normal teenage life and relative recovery from his previous conditions to intense chemotherapy treatments. “It was like whiplash,” said 19-year-old Parker.

In order to save his arm, Parker’s shoulder and a large part of his humerus needed to be removed. They were replaced with an allograft bone transplant from a deceased donor. The generosity of this tissue donor led to the ultimate survival of his arm and his active life. Parker’s shoulder was reconstructed with a metal alloy ball joint.

“Parker’s recovery was daunting,” said his mother, Alice Casy. “The osteosarcoma also infected his lungs, and the intense chemotherapy required to kill the cancer was the ultimate test of patience and physical strength. But thanks to a community of support from doctors and friends, and his own determination, Parker had the wisdom and spirit to conquer this.”

Parker has been cancer-free for more than 18 months, and is currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder. With the knowledge that he must be hyper-diligent about monitoring his health for the rest of his life, he is anxious to seize each day. He is inspired by Boulder’s majestic beauty and has taken up rock climbing, much to his mother’s chagrin. His interests for the future run the gamut from aeronautics to mechanics.

Parker believes: “I know I have endless possibilities now.”