Colin was my 14-year-old son and my heart.

He was full of life, full of energy, and full of love. He always showed up with a smile, gave his all in everything he did, and had a presence people were naturally drawn to. As an athlete, he pushed himself and loved to compete, but more than anything, he was just a good kid and very strong, kind, and full of potential.

Our bond was real, and I was proud to watch him grow into the young man he was becoming. Like any parent, I believed I had time. Time to see him grow, to guide him, and to watch him become a man.

That’s what makes this so hard to understand.

Colin was healthy. Strong. Full of life.

And then, suddenly… he was gone...

Losing Colin changed everything!

He was taken from us by a mostly unheard of, often unspoken of heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). What makes it even more difficult is that many families just like ours don’t even know it exists until it’s too late. Colin showed no clear signs that anything was wrong.

That’s what pushed me to start Colin’s Heart Foundation.

I couldn’t just sit with this kind of loss. I needed to turn my pain into purpose something that could help protect other families.

If there’s a way to prevent even one family from experiencing this kind of pain, then I have to try.

The mission of Colin’s Heart Foundation is simple, but powerful:

To raise awareness about HCM, educate families, student athletes, and coaches on the warning signs, and encourage early heart screenings that could save lives.

We want to get this information into schools, into the hands of parents and coaches, and eventually help sponsor heart screenings for young athletes who may otherwise never get checked.

If Colin’s story brings awareness…

and that awareness leads to action…

and that action saves even one life…

then his legacy will continue to live on in a way that truly matters.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will go directly toward launching Colin’s Heart Foundation and creating immediate, measurable impact.

Phase 1 goals include:

Designing, printing, and distributing educational materials

Partnering with local clinics and cardiologists to provide heart screenings

Establishing the foundation and building a basic website

Beginning outreach to schools, coaches, and youth programs

Every contribution—no matter the amount—moves this mission forward.

For those who feel led to give at a higher level, a donation in the range of $300–$800 can help cover the cost of screening one young athlete’s heart.

But whether it’s $1, $5, $10, $50, or more, every dollar helps bring us closer to protecting another child.

If you’re not able to give, simply sharing this message can help reach a family who needs to hear it in time.

Thank You to everyone who takes a moment to read this, share it, or consider donating!

No parent ever imagines having to tell their child's story like this. But if Colin’s story can reach someone in time, then it’s worth it.

I’m not just asking for donations, I’m asking you to help me spread awareness about something many families have never even heard of until it’s too late.

If you feel led to give, I’m grateful.

If you’re not able to give, sharing this message means just as much.

Because the reality is…

one share, one conversation, one screening…

could save a life.

Thank you for standing with me and helping keep Colin’s legacy alive!