Colin's Courage - kick cancer!
Donation protected
If you have had the good fortune of meeting Colin, you know that he is funny, smart, hardworking, kind and most of all an incredibly caring and exceptionally genuine young person. And if you have met any one of his immediate family members, it is quickly apparent where he learned all of those amazing traits!
On January 8th, in the midst of his junior year at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, just weeks after celebrating his 21st birthday, and preparing to head back to school for baseball spring training and the new semester, Colin had a routine appointment with his doctor in his hometown. He expressed that he had been experiencing body itches and night sweats during the prior couple months with no relief from antihistamines. After considering the symptoms and discovering a severely enlarged lymph node on his neck, several tests were done and scans completed. The following days brought more pokes, prods, and tests that required review by an oncologist who suspected a diagnosis of Lymphoma. The big C word entered the picture. With this news, Colin decided he wanted to return to college after winter break, so he decided to receive care at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND. On February 8th, one month after that first appointment, the many biopsies and tests finally revealed that Colin had Stage 4 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a form of Non-Hodgkins. No time was wasted and on Monday, February 10th, he was admitted to Sanford Broadway Medical Center in Fargo for his first inpatient chemo treatment.
Answers had been found, and a plan laid out... or so they thought. While no one should have to face cancer even once in their life, it appears Colin is exceptional in yet another though quite unfortunate way. On February 15th, pathology results from Mayo not only confirmed his original Non-Hodgkin's diagnosis, but added Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma to the mix. So, Colin faces not one, but TWO types of cancer at the same time. Since then he has had several cycles of treatment and despite losing his hair and a little weight, his upbeat spirits and support from family and friends are carrying him through. He has made himself right at home and is arguably a favorite patient with his awesome smile, good nature, and budding ukulele skills! Colin is ready to kick cancer in the a$$!!
His wonderful community has been working hard to organize a benefit to help the Richards family with the many unexpected expenses, but with the circulation of COVID-19, they are having to put off this fundraiser to an undetermined date. However, the Richards could really use the help now to help reduce the financial stress no one should have to face in the midst of the stress of a serious illness in a loved one. On top of $1000's in insurance deductibles and other medical costs, they are facing many expenses that add up, including but not limited to: travel to treatments (2 hours one way), gas money, lodging, meals, the loss of scholarship money as Colin has been unable to keep his college credit load at the required minimum level during treatments, and the challenges of keeping their family business up and running in the midst of it all. With the postponement of the benefit you still have the opportunity to help the Richards now through this GoFundMe! This will allow them to put their energy and focus where it needs to be - on Colin's care and on supporting each other. Or if you prefer not to donate online, donations can be sent to:
Glenwood State Bank
Attn. Colin's Courage
PO Box 197
Glenwood MN 56334
or by calling the bank directly at: [phone redacted]
For updates, more photos, and stories to warm your heart and make you smile, visit Colin's Caring Bridge site at:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/crichards
And if you are ever in Glenwood, MN, stop by Hunt's Resort to say hello to the Richards family!
https://www.huntsresort.com
Thank you for reading, hug your loved ones, call a friend, and give thanks for each and every person who makes a difference in your life!
Top left: dueling ukuleles - Colin and his dad, Rob
Top right: (left to right) Terri (Colin's mom), Colin, Abby (Colin's girlfriend)
Bottom left: Colin, Olivia (Colin's youngest sister)
Bottom right: Colin, Ella (Colin's younger sister)
On January 8th, in the midst of his junior year at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, just weeks after celebrating his 21st birthday, and preparing to head back to school for baseball spring training and the new semester, Colin had a routine appointment with his doctor in his hometown. He expressed that he had been experiencing body itches and night sweats during the prior couple months with no relief from antihistamines. After considering the symptoms and discovering a severely enlarged lymph node on his neck, several tests were done and scans completed. The following days brought more pokes, prods, and tests that required review by an oncologist who suspected a diagnosis of Lymphoma. The big C word entered the picture. With this news, Colin decided he wanted to return to college after winter break, so he decided to receive care at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND. On February 8th, one month after that first appointment, the many biopsies and tests finally revealed that Colin had Stage 4 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a form of Non-Hodgkins. No time was wasted and on Monday, February 10th, he was admitted to Sanford Broadway Medical Center in Fargo for his first inpatient chemo treatment.
Answers had been found, and a plan laid out... or so they thought. While no one should have to face cancer even once in their life, it appears Colin is exceptional in yet another though quite unfortunate way. On February 15th, pathology results from Mayo not only confirmed his original Non-Hodgkin's diagnosis, but added Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma to the mix. So, Colin faces not one, but TWO types of cancer at the same time. Since then he has had several cycles of treatment and despite losing his hair and a little weight, his upbeat spirits and support from family and friends are carrying him through. He has made himself right at home and is arguably a favorite patient with his awesome smile, good nature, and budding ukulele skills! Colin is ready to kick cancer in the a$$!!
His wonderful community has been working hard to organize a benefit to help the Richards family with the many unexpected expenses, but with the circulation of COVID-19, they are having to put off this fundraiser to an undetermined date. However, the Richards could really use the help now to help reduce the financial stress no one should have to face in the midst of the stress of a serious illness in a loved one. On top of $1000's in insurance deductibles and other medical costs, they are facing many expenses that add up, including but not limited to: travel to treatments (2 hours one way), gas money, lodging, meals, the loss of scholarship money as Colin has been unable to keep his college credit load at the required minimum level during treatments, and the challenges of keeping their family business up and running in the midst of it all. With the postponement of the benefit you still have the opportunity to help the Richards now through this GoFundMe! This will allow them to put their energy and focus where it needs to be - on Colin's care and on supporting each other. Or if you prefer not to donate online, donations can be sent to:
Glenwood State Bank
Attn. Colin's Courage
PO Box 197
Glenwood MN 56334
or by calling the bank directly at: [phone redacted]
For updates, more photos, and stories to warm your heart and make you smile, visit Colin's Caring Bridge site at:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/crichards
And if you are ever in Glenwood, MN, stop by Hunt's Resort to say hello to the Richards family!
https://www.huntsresort.com
Thank you for reading, hug your loved ones, call a friend, and give thanks for each and every person who makes a difference in your life!
Top left: dueling ukuleles - Colin and his dad, RobTop right: (left to right) Terri (Colin's mom), Colin, Abby (Colin's girlfriend)
Bottom left: Colin, Olivia (Colin's youngest sister)
Bottom right: Colin, Ella (Colin's younger sister)
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Sayler Stender
Organizer
Glenwood, MN
Terri Richards
Beneficiary
