Sarcoma Research Foundation raises money for MD Anderson

Sale of Knock Out® roses aims to Knock Out Sarcoma

BY Leslie Friedman

Sally Kingsbury's friends and family and MD Anderson staff sell Knock Out® roses to raise money for sarcoma research in her memory. From left are postdoctoral fellows Anand Singh and Veena Kochat; Zachary Mulder, research assistant; Mike Moeller, Kingsbury's brother; Keila Torres, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Surgical Oncology; and Nora Linares-Moeller, Kingsbury's sister-in-law. Photo by Sarid Torres.

In addition to being a loving wife, devoted mom, dedicated high school teacher and motivating aerobics instructor, Sally Kingsbury was a master gardener. She spent many hours nurturing her garden and her prized Knock Out® roses.

Sally and her husband, Tim, raised two sons, Klint and Kliff, in New Braunfels, Texas. She was adored by students and colleagues alike.

In 2003, Sally, at age 51, was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma.

She completed treatments at MD Anderson and absolutely believed she would beat the disease. Eight months later, the cancer metastasized to her lung. Family and friends recall how Sally fought with dignity and grit until her death in December 2005.

Her love of gardening inspired family and friends to form the Sally M. Kingsbury Sarcoma Research Foundation, or Knock Out Sarcoma, in 2007, to help fund research to find a cure. The group sells colorful Knock Out® roses each spring, and has since gotten involved with more fundraising opportunities: the Tour de Gruene bike race in November, an Audi golf tournament in San Antonio in June and the Comal County Cowboy Breakfast in New Braunfels in September, as well as securing percentages of Kendra Scott jewelry sales in February and Vera Bradley product sales in July to support the cause. Overall, the organization has raised $325,000 for sarcoma research at MD Anderson.

Those in New Braunfels who know the Kingsbury family loved and respected Sally for her optimistic outlook, her value system and her work ethic.

Nora Linares-Moeller

Sally Kingsbury's sister-in-law and president, Sally M. Kingsbury Sarcoma Research Foundation

Sally was a true inspiration and positive influence for all. She leaves a legacy of hope that one day sarcoma is "knocked out."

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