Heather Keaten Cancer Fund
Donation protected
Heather Thomas Keaten is a Colorado native. In fact, she was born and raised here in Fort Collins. She lived on a 15 ½ acre farm on the outskirts of town with her parents, Lee and Sandy, along with one sister, Kris and three brothers, Dave, Mark, and Matt. Heather was the baby in the family.
She attended Riffenburgh Elementary School, Lesher Junior High School, and then aFort Collins High School! She travelled out of state for her college education to Fort Hayes State University where she studied Jazz Saxophone.
Heather and Jim are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Katie, James, and Matthew. Katie is studying theater at UNC, James is a pre-med major at CSU, and Matthew is a junior at Fort Collins High School and on the varsity Collins soccer team!
Heather was also an avid athlete who ran triathlons and taught an impressive array of fitness classes including swimming, spin, yoga, basketball, fly gym, and even pole dancing. As all who know her will attest, Heather is a vivacious caring, and empathetic soul who always placed the needs of others first.
After decades of giving to others, however, Heather is now in a fight for her own life. In late November of last year, Heather experienced debilitating headaches. Thinking her symptoms were simply the product of stress, Heather was shocked to hear that she had stage 4 brain cancer. A week after receiving the news, she had resection surgery in early December of 2015 to remove the tumor, which was about the size of two golf balls. After recovering from the surgery in December, Heather endured both radiation and chemotherapy in the early part of the year.
In July of 2016, vomiting and dizziness prompted a visit to the ER. An MRI revealed discouraging news—swelling of the brain and new tumor growth. Shortly thereafter, she had her second resection surgery. However, during this surgery Heather suffered a stroke in her premotor cortex, resulting in right-side paralysis.
Funds will go directly to covering medical expenses, including her 24/7 at-home care. The Keaten family is profoundly grateful for any contribution that you make.
She attended Riffenburgh Elementary School, Lesher Junior High School, and then aFort Collins High School! She travelled out of state for her college education to Fort Hayes State University where she studied Jazz Saxophone.
Heather and Jim are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Katie, James, and Matthew. Katie is studying theater at UNC, James is a pre-med major at CSU, and Matthew is a junior at Fort Collins High School and on the varsity Collins soccer team!
Heather was also an avid athlete who ran triathlons and taught an impressive array of fitness classes including swimming, spin, yoga, basketball, fly gym, and even pole dancing. As all who know her will attest, Heather is a vivacious caring, and empathetic soul who always placed the needs of others first.
After decades of giving to others, however, Heather is now in a fight for her own life. In late November of last year, Heather experienced debilitating headaches. Thinking her symptoms were simply the product of stress, Heather was shocked to hear that she had stage 4 brain cancer. A week after receiving the news, she had resection surgery in early December of 2015 to remove the tumor, which was about the size of two golf balls. After recovering from the surgery in December, Heather endured both radiation and chemotherapy in the early part of the year.
In July of 2016, vomiting and dizziness prompted a visit to the ER. An MRI revealed discouraging news—swelling of the brain and new tumor growth. Shortly thereafter, she had her second resection surgery. However, during this surgery Heather suffered a stroke in her premotor cortex, resulting in right-side paralysis.
Funds will go directly to covering medical expenses, including her 24/7 at-home care. The Keaten family is profoundly grateful for any contribution that you make.
Organizer
James Keaten
Organizer
Fort Collins, CO
