Share, Show up, Help for the Cottrells
Donation protected
Everyone has a story. Some stories are funny, others stir our soul and resonate deeply enough to
prompt us to take action, to help, to share, to show up. This is Ken Cottrell’s story and we hope it is
one of those that touches your heart and makes you reach out.
It has been nearly 5 years since Ken was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. His fight has been nothing
but courageous and determined. He has undergone numerous treatments, some of them clinical
trials clear across the county, hoping that if the treatments didn’t help him, they would at least
benefit someone who comes after him. Despite everything, on July 10, Kenny, as his wife fondly calls
him, entered hospice care at home.
Many of you have followed the Cottrell’s ordeal via Cindy’s eloquent writing on their Caring Bridge
page. She and their 6 children have put on brave fronts as they have helped Ken in his fight. Right
from the beginning and all throughout, Ken’s journey was filled with hope. Just recently, on July 9,
Cindy recounted the day they learned his cancer had spread saying, “As you remember, Kenny’s goal
has been to make it to October 9, 2019. Back on October 8, 2015, the day we learned his cancer had
metastasized to his lungs, placing the disease at Stage IV and terminal, the oncologist was answering
our questions about a prognosis with statistics. He started out by saying less than 10% of patients
with Stage IV cancer are still alive and five years; 14% are still alive and 4 years, and so on. On that
day, Kenny, never one to be an overachiever, set a 4-year survival with Stage IV cancer as his personal
goal. ‘I’ve never been in the top 14% of anything in my life! That’s a good goal to have.’”
We know that prayers will continue to flow to Kenny in hopes that he makes it to his October goal.
But we have one more goal for the Cottrell family that we are expressing through a Go Fund Me
campaign. This new Go Fund Me campaign seeks a little bit of peace of mind for Kenny in only a way
people coming together can provide. He can be proud and peaceful that his journey has been hard
fought and no stone has been left unturned in his determination to beat the cancer; however, we
can take one burden off his shoulders and help him find peace in knowing that his family has
financial means to make it through and take care of expenses until Cindy can return to work again.
Funds raised will go to general living expenses, school expenses (including college costs), and house
payments.
We seek to make word of the Cottrell family’s needs travel far and wide enough to raise at least
$30,000. If this goal is wildly exceeded, it could only make more of a difference. Please join us one
more time in honor of Kenny’s life, his fight, and his family. We ask that you consider donating any
amount, even the smallest amounts help. Please share this message and campaign with your friends
and family around the country and world.
prompt us to take action, to help, to share, to show up. This is Ken Cottrell’s story and we hope it is
one of those that touches your heart and makes you reach out.
It has been nearly 5 years since Ken was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. His fight has been nothing
but courageous and determined. He has undergone numerous treatments, some of them clinical
trials clear across the county, hoping that if the treatments didn’t help him, they would at least
benefit someone who comes after him. Despite everything, on July 10, Kenny, as his wife fondly calls
him, entered hospice care at home.
Many of you have followed the Cottrell’s ordeal via Cindy’s eloquent writing on their Caring Bridge
page. She and their 6 children have put on brave fronts as they have helped Ken in his fight. Right
from the beginning and all throughout, Ken’s journey was filled with hope. Just recently, on July 9,
Cindy recounted the day they learned his cancer had spread saying, “As you remember, Kenny’s goal
has been to make it to October 9, 2019. Back on October 8, 2015, the day we learned his cancer had
metastasized to his lungs, placing the disease at Stage IV and terminal, the oncologist was answering
our questions about a prognosis with statistics. He started out by saying less than 10% of patients
with Stage IV cancer are still alive and five years; 14% are still alive and 4 years, and so on. On that
day, Kenny, never one to be an overachiever, set a 4-year survival with Stage IV cancer as his personal
goal. ‘I’ve never been in the top 14% of anything in my life! That’s a good goal to have.’”
We know that prayers will continue to flow to Kenny in hopes that he makes it to his October goal.
But we have one more goal for the Cottrell family that we are expressing through a Go Fund Me
campaign. This new Go Fund Me campaign seeks a little bit of peace of mind for Kenny in only a way
people coming together can provide. He can be proud and peaceful that his journey has been hard
fought and no stone has been left unturned in his determination to beat the cancer; however, we
can take one burden off his shoulders and help him find peace in knowing that his family has
financial means to make it through and take care of expenses until Cindy can return to work again.
Funds raised will go to general living expenses, school expenses (including college costs), and house
payments.
We seek to make word of the Cottrell family’s needs travel far and wide enough to raise at least
$30,000. If this goal is wildly exceeded, it could only make more of a difference. Please join us one
more time in honor of Kenny’s life, his fight, and his family. We ask that you consider donating any
amount, even the smallest amounts help. Please share this message and campaign with your friends
and family around the country and world.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Donnelly
Organizer
Wyoming, MI
Cottrell Family
Beneficiary
