Eric Crawford never met a stranger. He was an outgoing, passionate, humorous and positive man who gave life 110%. He grew up in New Jersey playing baseball, surfing and wrestling. He earned an engineering degree from Lehigh University and went on to have a successful sales career. He met his wife Meredith while they were both living in San Diego one summer during college. Eric and Meredith moved to Charleston from New York after becoming engaged in 2004 and were married a year later on Kiawah Island. Eric continued to play baseball, surf and even discovered his all-time favorite pastime, offshore fishing, in Charleston. They eventually had two children, Kaylee and Connor, and being a dad was one of Eric's greatest joys.
In early 2014, Eric started having pain in his knee. When it didn't improve with rest, he saw an orthopedic doctor who discovered a tumor in his left femur. He was referred to one of only two orthopedic oncologists in South Carolina who happened to be at MUSC in Charleston. At the end of April, a biopsy determined that he had osteosarcoma. Eric underwent chemotherapy treatments immediately through Hollings Cancer Center, had reconstructive surgery to remove the tumor, and then more chemo. In November, a lung scan revealed that it spread to his lungs and chemo wasn't working as desired.
In true Eric fashion, he took his family on a spur of the moment trip to Disney World when chemo was cancelled. A couple weeks later, he and Meredith traveled to NYC for a college get together. After that, it quickly went downhill for him. His leg was in pain again and increasingly getting worse. He began having trouble breathing when walking around, which eventually landed him in the hospital. After an 11 day stay, he passed away quickly and peacefully on January 17, 2015 surrounded by family and friends. He was only 36.
Eric and Meredith attended the "Swing for a Cure" dinner in 2014 while he was undergoing treatments. They had a great time and wanted to continue to support the event and raise money and awareness for sarcoma cancers. By now honoring Eric at SFAC, his family and friends hope to be able to carry out his wishes.
