Kristina Friess

Kristina’s journey to becoming a Spinal Champion began not with pain, but with a fall. In May 2024, while walking to lunch with coworkers to honor a late friend, she tripped on uneven concrete and struck her head. What seemed like a minor accident led to an emergency room visit and a scan that revealed an unexpected and life-threatening diagnosis: a tumor wrapped around her cervical spine.

Though she had no symptoms, Kristina soon learned the tumor had already begun damaging her spinal cord. Without surgery, she risked losing mobility, bladder control, and even the ability to breathe. With courage and composure, Kristina underwent an 11.5-hour surgery involving a C2–C6 spinal fusion. The tumor was successfully removed, but she awoke with limited function on the right side of her body, facing a long and uncertain recovery.

Supported by friends who traveled across states to care for her, Kristina began a rigorous rehabilitation journey. Thirteen days of inpatient therapy helped her relearn basic movements, progressing from wheelchair to walker to cane. Her deep faith and unwavering support of her loved ones became the backbone of her healing process. She called the fall a “gift” because without it, the tumor might not have been discovered until it was too late.

By January 2025, just four months after surgery, Kristina had returned to work full-time. Though she still experiences some lingering symptoms, she continues to regain strength and confidence. She walks her dog, cooks, shops, and even cheered on her favorite baseball team at a Reds game—small joys she no longer takes for granted.

Today, Kristina embraces each day with gratitude and determination. She calls herself “the luckiest woman on earth,” and her journey is a testament to resilience, community, and the miracles that can arise from life’s most unexpected moments. Through her story, Kristina hopes to inspire and support others facing spine surgery and long-term recovery.