Help Bob Cowden Fight Colon Cancer with Supportive Care

I am rallying the troops for someone very special—my dear friend Bob Cowden.

Bob was recently diagnosed with Stage 3a colon cancer with lymphovascular invasion (LVI). On March 28, 2025, he underwent major surgery at Penn Medicine to remove the cancerous tumor and 30 lymph nodes, 3 of which were found to be affected. He’s now in the midst of an aggressive six-month chemotherapy plan (FOLFOX) to prevent recurrence.

Bob is a devoted husband to my sweet friend Rachel and loving father to their two young sons. He’s also a coach and mentor in his community, continuing to support local youth through lacrosse and football even as he fights this disease. His strength, humility, and resilience are an inspiration to all who know him.

In addition to chemotherapy, Bob is pursuing a range of supportive therapies that can significantly improve his quality of life and reduce the chance of recurrence. Unfortunately, many of these essential services are not covered by insurance.

These include:

• IV and oxygen therapies to support immunity, energy, and recovery

• Nutritional support, supplements, and professional guidance

• Physical rehabilitation and strength-building

• Specialized lab testing to guide treatment decisions

• Counseling and integrative consults to manage side effects

• Travel and lodging for out-of-town appointments at Penn Medicine

Bob has always taken pride in providing for himself and his family. But the reality is, these added costs are too much for one family to carry without support and there is no way to know every hurdle ahead. This is our moment to show up for Bob.

We’re raising funds to help cover these critical treatments and resources. If there are unused funds, Bob is committed to paying it forward.

Ways you can help:

1️⃣ Donate – Any amount helps, no matter how big or small. Every dollar gets Bob closer to the critical supportive therapies and resources not covered by insurance.

{If you prefer to venmo Bob directly: @Robert-Cowden-6)

2️⃣ Share – If donating isn’t possible right now, sharing this fundraiser is just as powerful. Spread the word!

3️⃣ Support - A simple word of encouragement goes a long way!

If you know Bob, you know the kind of person he is—steady, loyal, and always shows up for others. Now it’s our turn to show up for him!

*Note: While they deeply appreciate the kind offers to provide meals, due to Bob’s specific dietary needs and restrictions, we kindly ask that you consider supporting through this fundraiser, or, if you prefer, with a gift card to Giant. Your understanding and generosity is truly appreciated.