Richards teacher Christina Kreil’s summer involves traveling to Columbia for amputee World Cup, battling rare ‘Giant Cell’ disease
Richards High School social studies teacher Christina Kreil, a new member of the U.S. National Women’s Amputee Soccer team, is devoting her summer to training for the first ever Women’s World Cup in Columbia this Nov. and to finding a cure for the rare disease that has plagued her since 2000.
Extremely rare, “Giant Cell,” she said, is as mysterious as it is debilitating. It is a dark cloud hovering over a summer of hope and celebration. Because doctors in Illinois seem stumped, and because the condition is rapidly worsening, the mother of two plans to visit some of the country’s top cancer centers this summer, even though she does not have cancer.
She barely made it through her high school senior soccer season and often couldn’t walk long distances because of the pain. “That’s how giant cell behaves. It just keeps coming back in the exact same spot it started or it jumps to the lungs,” she said.That fall, Kreil’s left lung collapsed in an unrelated incident. While in surgery, doctors found a lump and removed it.
Despite her exhaustive medical quest, Kreil said she is readying herself for the World Cup tournament. The opportunity, she said, shines a bright light on an otherwise dark forecast.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Denise Richards Returning to Reality TV in New Family Series 'Denise Richards and the Wild Things''Denise Richards and the Wild Things' will air on E! in 2025.
Read more »
Concacaf Champions Cup final: Pachuca tops Columbus to reach FIFA Club World CupReigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew became the circuit’s latest team to fall short against Mexican opposition in Saturday’s Concacaf Champions Cup final.
Read more »
Stanley Cup notebook: Okposo finally gets shot at Stanley Cup, McDavid back where his career startedKyle Okposo’s first Stanley Cup memory came as an 8-year-old boy, when he watched the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final. That series — a quick sweep for the Avalanche, who won their first ever trophy — ignited Okposo’s love for hockey.
Read more »
Dallas awarded International Broadcast Center for 2026 FIFA World CupDallas has another win to add in the lead up to the 2026 World Cup. The city has now gained the International Broadcasting Center, a home away from home for...
Read more »
Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal pits cricket's overachievers against underachieversThe underdog Afghanistan team has reached the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals for the first time and has captured the attention of cricket fans everywhere.
Read more »
Afghans celebrate their men's cricket team reaching first Twenty20 World Cup semifinalsThousands of jubilant Afghans are celebrating their country’s most iconic sporting moment after their men's national cricket team reached the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals for the first time. Videos on social media show huge gatherings in different Afghan provinces after watching Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by a nervy eight runs in St.
Read more »