Courtney Collins
Donation protected
A few weeks ago Courtney Collins, a 14 year old Freshman at Summit High School, was talking to her parents about possibly trying out for high school tennis team. Courtney, who is tall and slender, has her father’s athletic skills and was just beginning to overcome multiple surgeries and intense chemotherapy treatment from her diagnosis of Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma in June of 2015.
Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma or RMS is a rare pediatric cancer that is an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer.
From that first diagnosis, Courtney has been a warrior – taking on more pain and discomfort than most of us will bear in a lifetime. All through the treatments and travelling from hospital to hospital, Courtney never lost her smile or sunny disposition. Everyone that knows Courtney can tell you that she never thinks of herself or her problems – she wants to be a kid, just like her friends and fellow students. After driving the cancer into remission, Courtney was just starting to feel normal again.
Unfortunately, life’s journey for Courtney has hit a setback – about ten days ago, Courtney’s cancer came back. She is currently in Portland at OHSU receiving treatment in the form of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. She is in for a fight and she and her family are going to need some help.
Most people who’ve had kids in sports at Cascade Middle School or Summit High School know Courtney’s father is Steve Collins. Steve is a teacher and the Athletic Director at Cascade Middle School and has most likely coached or taught one your kids. Steve grew up in Bend and was a star High School Athlete and played college football at Montana State where he met his wife Betsy.
In the last two years, Betsy has been a powerful advocate for her daughter – asking questions, researching and finding the best treatment possible. Courtney obviously inherited her mother’s inner strength. Courtney’ s brothers Neal and Connor will do anything for their Sister and have been a tremendous asset for Betsy and Steve.
Courtney’s physicians have told Betsy and Steve that the next year for Courtney will be extremely challenging The family has been split apart to take on this challenge. Steve continues to work in Bend and travels back and forth to Portland as much as possible while Betsy is at Courtney’s side in Portland. The cost of all of this is tremendous.
We are asking for your help, big or small donations in making sure that Courtney and her family can fight this disease with all possible efforts. There are medical cost not covered by insurance. Betsy living in Portland is not cheap and traveling back and forth is expensive. Making sure Courtney is comfortable is a top priority for Betsy. Courtney would never ask for help or seek help and that is why we have decided to create this site so the Collins are free to focus on Courtney.
Thanks,
Thomas and Janine Spear
March 14th 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!
You are loved by so many wonderful people!
Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma or RMS is a rare pediatric cancer that is an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer.
From that first diagnosis, Courtney has been a warrior – taking on more pain and discomfort than most of us will bear in a lifetime. All through the treatments and travelling from hospital to hospital, Courtney never lost her smile or sunny disposition. Everyone that knows Courtney can tell you that she never thinks of herself or her problems – she wants to be a kid, just like her friends and fellow students. After driving the cancer into remission, Courtney was just starting to feel normal again.
Unfortunately, life’s journey for Courtney has hit a setback – about ten days ago, Courtney’s cancer came back. She is currently in Portland at OHSU receiving treatment in the form of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. She is in for a fight and she and her family are going to need some help.
Most people who’ve had kids in sports at Cascade Middle School or Summit High School know Courtney’s father is Steve Collins. Steve is a teacher and the Athletic Director at Cascade Middle School and has most likely coached or taught one your kids. Steve grew up in Bend and was a star High School Athlete and played college football at Montana State where he met his wife Betsy.
In the last two years, Betsy has been a powerful advocate for her daughter – asking questions, researching and finding the best treatment possible. Courtney obviously inherited her mother’s inner strength. Courtney’ s brothers Neal and Connor will do anything for their Sister and have been a tremendous asset for Betsy and Steve.
Courtney’s physicians have told Betsy and Steve that the next year for Courtney will be extremely challenging The family has been split apart to take on this challenge. Steve continues to work in Bend and travels back and forth to Portland as much as possible while Betsy is at Courtney’s side in Portland. The cost of all of this is tremendous.
We are asking for your help, big or small donations in making sure that Courtney and her family can fight this disease with all possible efforts. There are medical cost not covered by insurance. Betsy living in Portland is not cheap and traveling back and forth is expensive. Making sure Courtney is comfortable is a top priority for Betsy. Courtney would never ask for help or seek help and that is why we have decided to create this site so the Collins are free to focus on Courtney.
Thanks,
Thomas and Janine Spear
March 14th 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY!
You are loved by so many wonderful people!
Organizer and beneficiary
Janine Spear
Organizer
Bend, OR
Betsy Collins
Beneficiary
