Football program expresses appreciation for progressive care given to Arthur Ray Jr.

The Michigan State Spartans honored Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush orthopaedic oncology surgeon Dr. Steven Gitelis for his work with student/athlete Arthur Ray Jr. Dr. Gitelis was joined by Patricia Piasecki, clinical coordinator of the Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush orthopaedic oncology program, for the event featured during the Spartans' October 17 game against Northwestern University.

Mount Carmel High School standout Arthur Ray Jr. was set to go to Michigan State on scholarship and play offensive line for the Spartans. Yet before a single snap of his college career, Ray's life took a dramatic turn when what he thought was a harmless bump turned out to be a cancerous tumor in his leg.

In April 2007, Ray was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer most often seen in teenage boys. Told he would be lucky to walk again, much less play football, Ray sought out a second opinion from renowned Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush othopaedic oncologist Dr. Steven Gitelis. Dr. Gitelis assured Arthur that he would walk again, and in doing so gave him something he desperately needed: hope.

In late July 2007, he underwent a 14-hour surgery performed by Dr. Gitelis to remove the tumor. A rod was inserted into Ray's leg along with plates and screws to hold the bone graft in place.

Pictured left to right: Anthony Ray (brother); Adrian Ray (mother);
Arthur Ray Jr.; Patty Piasecki; Dr. Steven Gitelis; Arthur Ray Sr. (father);
and Scot Schlesinger (MSU representative)

Rehab was proceeding well, but an infection developed (a significant risk for osteosarcoma patients). In March 2008 Dr. Gitelis operated again - enlisting the help of fellow MOR surgeons Dr. Walter Virkus, Dr. Mark Cohen and Dr. John Fernandez - to completely remove the bone, replacing it with a cement spacer and cleaning out the infection. The tibia was reinserted in yet another procedure eight weeks later.

Arthur Ray Jr.'s hard work and determination has allowed him to rehabilitate his leg to a point that many surgeons would have thought impossible. Michigan State University honored his scholarship, and today Arthur continues to attend team workouts with dreams of wearing his Spartans jersey on the playing field.

Ray and his coaching staff are grateful for the care he received from Dr. Gitelis and the Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush team. In September, Dr. Gitelis and the Limb Preservation Department of MOR received a signed Arthur Ray Jr. Spartan jersey. The jersey was accompanied by a personal note from Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio, expressing his personal gratitude for the care Arthur has received.

"Arthur has been a wonderful patient to work with over the years; his success both on and off the field is well deserved," said Dr. Gitelis. "He is an inspiration and I have been honored to be a part of his recovery."