Dear Friends & Family,

We are writing on behalf of our beloved funny guy and brother, Cole Youngren, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in October 2024. He’s been able to receive life saving care from the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver. He recently finished the intensive chemotherapy treatment and we’re happy to report he’ll be moving onto the “maintenance phase” mid February. An INCREDIBLE FEAT! We’re so proud and grateful. He’s been an absolute champ and rock solid through this, cracking jokes and making everybody smile along the way, as he does best when faced with major road blocks.

This Leukemia diagnosis comes on the heels of the 20 year anniversary of a brain surgery to remove a tumor that was crushing his optic nerves, leaving Cole fully blind at age 6. For those who know Cole, it is no surprise these life altering diagnoses haven’t kept him from living his best life. For those that don’t know him, the guy is unstoppable. He radiates kindness, his dedication, unmatched. He is the epitome of resilience and inspiration. From teaching himself to play the guitar, to joining the Pueblo South High football and track & field team, participating in archery, trap and skeet, as well as dog showmanship throughout many years in 4-H.

In recent year’s, after attending the Colorado School for Deaf and Blind, he’s been building skills to live independently in community with his peers in Colorado Springs, as well as learning trades for employment opportunities. Ask him about a diesel engine… I dare you.

After being met with setbacks during the pandemic, Cole moved back to Beulah in hopes of building skills to move towards self employment. He enrolled in the Massage Therapy Program at the IntelliTec College in Pueblo, graduated with honors in September of 2024, and will be inducted into the National Technical Honor Society in July 2025. The day before he was scheduled to take the MBLEX test for his license, he received the Leukemia news.

While nothing has ever stopped him, there are real setbacks that have made it challenging for him to access autonomy and certain stabilities. This fundraiser is to help support him and our family through the maintenance phase of treatment and beyond into offering him some stability in other avenues of his life.

IN SHORT-THE MONEY IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL SUPPORT:

IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

Housing in Denver for 1 month

Transportation between Beulah and Denver

Meals and groceries while traveling

Lost wages for family

Pet care

LONG TERM SUPPORT

Future housing needs

Massage studio

Massage tools and materials

Private driver

Fulfill dream of exploring Nashville

*this is not a fundraiser for medical bill support*

**the fundraiser beneficiary will be Cole’s mom, Lorene Youngren. He receives disability income, therefore has limits to the amount of funds he can have in his name at once.

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For those who wish to know more.

Cole’s full diagnosis is B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, B-ALL. Technically a pediatric cancer that’s more common to treat and with higher survival rates. Treatment was swift and the prognosis is curable. We are expecting full remission and recovery. The intensive two month chemo and immunotherapy phase was successful and as we move into the maintenance phase, the Leukemia cells are no longer detectable in his bone marrow. HALLELUJAH!

“THE MAINTENANCE PHASE”

Over the next 6 months Cole will receive the medicine, Blincyto, a 24/7 immunotherapy infusion (4 weeks on, 2 weeks off). The first 3-4 days of treatment will start off in the hospital under critical supervision, and then he’ll need to remain within an hour drive from the hospital until mid March, in case of adverse reactions. Immediate funds will go to support housing near CBCI in Denver.

After we know he can receive a full month of treatment without complications, he’ll travel to and from the hospital in Denver every 4 days to receive new medication. With Beulah and Denver being a 3 hour drive (130 miles), we are facing large travel, food, and lodging expenses. As well as lost wages for the family members sharing care duties.

We are hoping recovery will continue to be swift and Cole can continue to build a future for himself. Any funds beyond making sure the maintenance phase goes smoothly will go towards future housing opportunities, employment resources, and supporting his joy.

“THE DREAM”

Cole dreams of taking his guitar on the road and discovering what Nashville might have to offer. Whether it be exploring Belmont University’s music program or attending his first Honky Tonk. Getting the opportunity to take in the history of bluegrass, listen to that ol’ country heartbreak echoing through the Grand Ole Opry and immerse himself in some country music culture is something that’s been on his mind for a long time. And we’d like to make that happen for him when this is all said and done. Maybe with a pit stop in Memphis too!

We are so appreciative of any support you’re able to give. Thank you. Thank you.

Renee, Claire & Audrey

~*Cole's sisters*~

If you wish to donate outside of gofundme we have set up a venmo account for him.

VENMO USER NAME: Youngren09