Those who have followed my journey know that family, to me, has always been about who shows up. I’m 43 years old now, and I’ve spent nearly my entire life carrying the name "Cole" because a man named Fast Fred stepped up to be my father when I was four. He earned that title through decades of love, and he taught me that the strongest bonds aren't always written in DNA—they are written in the time we give to one another.

For the last 20 years, Kimberly has been that constant in my dad's life. As my stepmother, she didn't just join a family; she became a pillar of it. She stood firmly by my dad’s side during his darkest hours, when Gadolinium toxicity was "turning his lungs to stone." She was there for every breathing treatment, every moment of uncertainty, and every prayer.

About seven years ago, this community helped us do the impossible. We raised the funds to send my dad to Stem Cell of America. We saw a man tethered to an oxygen tank regain his life. It was a miracle that gave me more years with my father and gave his grandchildren the chance to know my "Superhero."

Now, the roles have reversed in a way we never expected. Kimberly has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.

It is devastating to watch the person who helped nurse my dad back to health face her own terminal diagnosis. But Kimberly is a fighter, and she has seen the proof of what is possible. She is ready to give Stem Cell of America the same opportunity that saved her husband’s life. She has seen the "impossible" happen in her own home, and she has the courage to chase that same miracle for herself.

We know firsthand that these treatments work, but we also know the reality of the cost. Because these are research-based procedures, insurance offers no path forward. Family matters, and I refuse to let my dad lose the woman who has been his partner for two decades without a fight.

My dad spent his life being a hero for so many others, and Kimberly spent the last 20 years being the hero for him. I am asking for your help to give her the same opportunity my dad had: a chance to breathe, a chance to heal, and a chance to grow old alongside the man she loves.

Whether you can donate or simply share our story, you are helping us fight for a second miracle. Thank you for your continued love and for standing with the Cole family once again.