Osteosarcoma survivor carves a new path forward

Cancer stole her knee; OHSU patient with cancer Rebecca Johnston wouldn’t let it steal her heart

By Chris Lydgate December 07, 2023 Portland, Oregon

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“Cancer is a terrible thing to have,” Rebecca Johnston says. “But you’ve got to move forward. You’ve got to lean into it. I kept a positive outlook. It helped my body heal. You take it one day at a time. Sometimes you take it one hour at a time.” She went on a camping trip in Canada in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Johnston)

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Rebecca Johnston earned two bronze medals for Team USA in the team events at the FIS Parasnowboard World Championship winter games in La Molina, Spain, in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Johnston)

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Rebecca Johnston competed in the FIS Parasnowboard World Championship winter games in La Molina, Spain, in 2023, where she placed fourth in snowboardcross and fourth in dual-banked slalom. She also represented Team USA in the team version of those events. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Johnston)

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After recovering from osteosarcoma, Rebecca Johnston made the decision to amputate her left leg above the knee. Since then, she has become a World Cup parasnowboarder who has competed around the world for Team USA. She’s now training for the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan, Italy. (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Johnston)