Christina Kreil has never let adversity keep her off the soccer field. The Richards High School social studies teacher is Illinois’ only member of the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team.
Dedicated both inside and outside of the classroom, Kreil was recently honored for her resilience and sportsmanship, receiving an Outstanding Achievement in Sportsmanship Award from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs during a Women’s History Month celebration.
“Christina is one of the most dedicated teachers we have on staff,” said Dr. Mike Jacobson, Executive Director of Student, Family & Community Engagement at Community High School District 218. “Her commitment to the school and the kids is remarkable and humbling. She not only teaches the kids about the content, but she also teaches them about hard work and perseverance. Our kids are lucky to have her in their lives and our community is lucky to have such a quality adult working with their children.”
Kreil has battled extraordinary odds, but her positive mindset has always kept her going strong.
The young wife and mother of two children was diagnosed with Metastatic Giant Cell Tumor, an extremely rare disease, at the young age of 17. Giant cell tumor of bone is a relatively rare, benign, but locally aggressive osteolytic skeletal neoplasm of young adults. The invasive disease targets bones.
When Kreil broke her foot in 2015 while rocking her young son, the disease eventually required the amputation of her right foot.
“My leg was amputated from my disease,” Kreil said. “I thought a lot of things in my life would have to change permanently; like my love for soccer.”
But she was wrong.
Since then, Kreil earned her spot on the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team and helped lead her team to a silver medal in the inaugural Women’s Amputee Football World Cup in Barranquilla, Colombia on Nov. 10. Though the U.S. squad fell to Colombia in a penalty shootout, Kreil’s performance on and off the field earned her statewide recognition.
“We lost to Colombia in a PK shootout, and I’m still not over it,” Kreil joked.
Kreil’s journey to the national team began when a simple video of her kicking a soccer ball to her son went viral, catching the attention of a coach for the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team.
While the amputation was supposed to stop the spread of the disease, Kreil said it failed.
“I currently have 17 tumors in my lungs and lymph nodes, and I’m not a candidate for chemotherapy because it’s not cancer,” she said. Kreil continues to search for drug trials and a specialist abroad since there are none in the U.S.
Her incredible story of perseverance resonated deeply with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who praised her determination during the March celebration for Women’s History Month in Chicago earlier this month.
“Christina Kreil is a shining example of strength, courage, and determination,” Frerichs said. “It’s a story of overcoming obstacles and being resilient. When we talk about sports or athletics, some people will ask, ‘What titles have you won?’ I don’t care where you are. I care where you have come from and how far you have come.”
With a mix of pride, perseverance, and steely resolve, Kreil remains strong.
“The greatest lesson I have to teach is grit,” she said. “There will always be another storm. That’s life. So, we shake it off, we get back up, and we build each other up, always.”