Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day to Mike Snyder
Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day
February 6, 2026
Show Your Support for Chondrosarcoma Research and Clinical Trials
https://csfshayna.org/support-cs-research/
Wear something yellow (Ribbon, Wrist Band) this Friday, February 6
Mike Snyder
https://csfshayna.org/dedication-videos/mike/
Every February 6, the Chondrosarcoma Foundation initiates Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day to bring awareness to Chondrosarcoma and honor the legacy of Shayna Elise Kramer who passed away from this ultra rare bone cancer in November 2019. This February 6, 2026, will be her 35th heavenly birthday. It was Shayna’s wish to educate the public about Chondrosarcoma and support patients and their families suffering from this rare disease.
Every year for Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day, we pay tribute to CS Survivors and those who lost their battle with Chondrosarcoma. Friday is the 6th Annual Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day. For the weeks leading up to February 6 we have been sharing the life stories and journeys of fellow Chondrosarcoma Warriors.
Our final tribute for this year is dedicated to Mike Snyder, a very dear friend that I got to know from this journey. Mike unfortunately passed away last April 2025. He lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Sarah and two children, Nicholas and Stephanie and worked for PBS Albuquerque in broadcast engineering for 40 years.
I first became aware of Mike in May 2020, at the height of the Covid Pandemic. I was watching the evening news and a news package was being aired about a person in Albuquerque, who was participating in a clinical trial to treat Chondrosarcoma and able to get his medication and complete his required tests remotely instead of traveling to Denver, Colorado every three weeks. After watching the news report, I set out to find Mike and sent him a friend request on Facebook. He accepted and we became very close friends. Mike became a founding board member of the Chondrosarcoma Foundation, and he and his wife Sarah were always around when I needed advice or reassurance that we were moving in the right direction.
Mike had been dealing with chondrosarcoma since 1996. His fight became intense in 2005 when he lost his leg to the disease and it began to metastasize to his lungs. After several unsuccessful drug trials, Mike joined the trial for AG-120 / Tibsovo in late 2014 and it has successfully slowed the growth of his tumors. He also participated in the Phase 1 clinical trial for INBRX 109 now called Ozekibart. Mike was in many respects was a pioneer and taught us a lot about chondrosarcoma and how to slow down the disease progression.
More importantly, Mike leaves a legacy about how to appreciate and enjoy life no matter how bad the circumstances. Despite losing his leg, being in constant pain, undergoing frequent treatments and almost going bankrupt from co-pays Mike enjoyed his life. His pride and joy were his family. He made the best of life and pursued advocations like becoming a master barbecue chef. Mike always said, “Cancer doesn’t get to win; not now, not ever.” Mike beat cancer, his demise last year was a heart attack.
We had the privilege to visit Mike and Sarah in the Summer of 2022 and I had the opportunity to interview Mike. He graciously shared his life journey, challenges with this ultra rare bone cancer and valuable advice for Chondrosarcoma survivors and for all of us. As a tribute, the video was aired on PBS Albuquerque and is posted on their web site.
I encourage all of you to check out Mike’s short video in honor of him and all Chondrosarcoma survivors and warriors for Chondrosarcoma Awareness Day. Just click the link below:
Mike Snyder Tribute – CS Foundation | CS Foundation
