Colleen's Kick Leukemia Fund!

Sunday, August 23rd, 2015. It was a relaxing, sunny day...and then the phone rang. What followed was intense, devasting and life-changing.  It was the news nobody expected to hear: Colleen has Leukemia. At only 16 years old, Colleen's life was about to change drastically. Colleen went with her family to UNC that day and began a journey they'd never imagined they'd encounter. We never think it can happen to us, but if and when it does, life is never the same. Instead of school supply shopping, now life consisted of  waiting nervously for test results to come back and worrying about what we are going to do. Instead of going to Tennis practice and tournaments after practicing and training so hard to make the School Tennis Team, Colleen will take twice-weekly trips to UNC for uncomfortable and even painful treatment in the hopes that she can fight the Leukemia. The what-ifs always come but the faith, hope, love and optimism, are what we have to get us through. Colleen has God with her and an amazing family and support system, but the fact is that the medical care required to treat Colleen will be costly and stressful. Presciptions, co-pays, drives to UNC twice a week for chemotherapy alone are not cheap, not to mention surgeries and blood tranfusions. Taking time off of work to drive her to treatment is also necessary and costly. Instead of enjoying her Junior year of high school with her younger sister, Lily, starting her freshman year at a brand-new school, Colleen endures what we all fear and dread, but with courage, faith and positivity. Colleen will have to be home-schooled for her entire Junior year of high school as her immunity will be weakened from all of her treatment. The year that should be consumed with learning, Driver's Ed, Tennis, friends, Junior Prom, and all the other new and exciting parts of a high school student's life, will be put on hold while Colleen goes on a very serious journey. If you find yourself in a position to contribute funds (big or small, every little bit helps!!) to the most wonderful, loving family you ever hope to meet, please know that it will be greatly appreciated and used for necessary medical care to make Colleen healthy again. This world needs exceptional young people like Colleen. Health is a blessing and we pray for Colleen to be Leukemia-free. God bless and thank you for reading and if able, contributing to Colleen's Kick-Leukemia Fund!