Meet Sabina
Sabina McMahon, a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon, is passionate about music. She’s been writing songs since she was 10 and released her first album, “Forget Me Not,” in August 2026. But she’s motivated by more than youthful ambition. Her music also helps raise awareness for childhood cancer.
In 2021, Sabina was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. Tumors form in the cells that build new bone, causing pain and swelling. These tumors usually occur near the joints of the long bones of the legs or arms. In Sabina’s case, the cancer began with a lesion on her right femur. After chemotherapy and radiation, she had surgery to replace a cancerous section of bone with a metal prosthesis. She was in remission for more than a year before the cancer came back. Since then, despite more chemo and other procedures, she has experienced several more recurrences.
In 2026, after her fifth relapse, Sabina’s family made a major decision. They would move to Columbus so Sabina could become a patient at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and receive care from oncologist Ryan D. Roberts, MD. Dr. Roberts oversees the Roberts Lab, which is part of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children’s. His team is specifically focused on the interactions between cells when cancer cells spread from the bones to the lungs. “He’s the best of the best and the reason we’re here,” Sabina said. “I’m so grateful to be under his care.”
Sabina is now in her senior year of high school and volunteers with a nonprofit called MIB Agents, an organization dedicated to “making it better” for osteosarcoma patients by supporting kids, families, clinicians and researchers. Through MIB Agents, she connected with other young osteosarcoma patients and eventually became a member of the MIB Agents junior advisory board.
She always makes time for music, too. Songwriting is how she processes her experiences, including the impact of cancer. As she writes on her personal website, Sabina wants to inspire “any little kid who might be listening to my music while they sit in their hospital bed with a chemo drip running.” She is currently collecting donations for pediatric cancer research. Proceeds from her song “Levi,” written in honor of another pediatric cancer patient, are also donated.
By showing up for other young cancer patients and refusing to give up on her creative dreams, Sabina is showing us what is possible. Give today to support patients like Sabina and help them pursue their passions through Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life.
