I've written before about how important dogs are to sarcoma. Not only because they get sarcoma, but because sometimes the research that cannot be done on humans can first be approved for them. So, that is why I have often featured sarcoma dogs on this site. Not to mention they are our family members. Our awareness of them and their part in the future of sarcoma is important.

A well known dog who had osteosarcoma died on Thursday. His name was Jack Rappaport. Jack was the beloved family member (and I mean it) of Jill Rappaport who is a correspondent on the TODAY show.

Diagnosed September 2007, Jack had an amputation as part of his treatment. That still seems to be the only way for osteosarcoma, and other bone cancers. The kinds of limb salvage surgeries developed in research animals for humans are now outpriced for pets and their owners. Jack also received chemo as so many humans with osteosarcoma do. And had a period of recovery and relative good health. But, Jack didn't remain cancer free.

According to Jill's blog, Jack has been called "the Ambassadog of Hope for pets with cancer and other life threatening conditions, for Tails of Hope Foundation and ACVIM Foundation (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation) two wonderful organizations that make the public aware of the incredible new life saving options and medical advances for our pets."

Jill blogged Jack's osteosarcoma story in October of 2007. Dog owners around the country were given the opportunity to learn and become more informed right away about osteosarcoma in dogs. I hope it brought new hope and awareness to know that they can get care for their pets with this kind of cancer.

In March of 2007 Meredith Viera introduces Jill and Jack on the TODAY show during the time he was in chemo treatment.

Veterinary Oncologist, Dr Gerald Post made a most awesome comment that most people do not realize. He said, "when I treat an animal with cancer, not only am I helping that animal but I can potentially be helping a child with cancer in five or ten years from now."

I can't emphasize enough how true that is. With a five year old family member in the midst of her Ewing's Sarcoma treatment since March of this year, it clings close to home for me. In order to make her treatment effective, I wonder what dog, or other animal went through the kind of complicated specialized surgery her arm will have to grow into. What creature had the kind of chemos she is going through right now and the next couple of months? Will it be enough? What dogs have been treated so that Veterinary scientists can make new inroads into the treatment options for sarcoma bone cancer? I also ask myself if the survival rates for dogs with sarcomas are any better than the survival rates for humans.

Since this blog is about the rareness of sarcomas, I often point out that cancer funding gets shunted in the direction of those cancers that have a higher population of patients. It makes good economic sense. Companies who develop new drugs find it necessary to make huge financial investments in supporting the research that goes into a new promising drug. It has to be worth the return in order to do this kind of thing, otherwise the businesses will not make a profit when they have a new product. So, for rare cancers, like sarcomas it is hard to maintain sufficient funding, often needing to scramble to other sources in order to keep focused research going.

I have often wished that someone famous would have an interest in sarcoma. Someone famous who has the power and money and open contact with the media to be able to turn around the future of sarcoma research. Sadly, it seems someone has to get a sarcoma in order for that to happen. We already know that is less than one percent of all cancers. What are the chances for better treatment options? For a cure?

Here is a dog who lived his life to the fullest, bringing happiness and love into the heart of his well known owner who shared his diagnosis with the world, his successes with surgery and recovery as an amputee on the TODAY show. Here is Jack who has been featured on Oprah. Jack already, as Abassadog of Hope for the above mentioned organizations has affected the lives of millions (I believe) of other dogs and their loved ones. And now, Jack who has left this world to become Angel Ambassadog.

Does Jack have a viable legacy that will include directly affecting the future of research for osteosarcoma?

Jill, I know you are in the midst of your grief. I know what that could be like. I deal with the deaths of my bone cancer support group friends way too frequently. Meredith and the TODAY show staff, can you put this experience to it's best use? Oprah, you make so many people's wishes come true. Make this one for Jack and for your own dogs, and for those people who get the rare sarcoma bone cancers that have been left behind. Together you can create an opportunity for the future of medicine that needs it the most.