8/31/2026 Update:

Dear friends,

As many of you know, this fundraiser was originally established to help Colleen’s sister, Erin, and her family relocate to provide support during Colleen’s illness. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement have been a tremendous source of strength throughout this journey, and we remain deeply grateful. Erin and her family are eager to remain in Stamford and continue to help provide love, support, and stability for our family. The short term plan is to extend their lease through the end of June. Any and all support to help cover the necessary costs is greatly appreciated. The long term prayer is that the Lord in all His love and mercy will help provide a home for the Roman family in Stamford so they can permanently move and continue to be a support for many years to come.

A few weeks before her passing, Colleen wrote the following reflection for our parish bulletin. I share it here as her own expression of gratitude:

“While cancer is not a cross I would willingly choose, I have experienced many graces since being diagnosed. One of the most profound is that I have begun to comprehend the Body of Christ in a way I never had before…

My family has been loved and carried through this difficult time because of the activation of the unique gifts of our local Body of Christ. For example: there are those who bring meals, those who provide rides for our children, those who come to pray and those who pray faithfully from afar, those who offer up their own suffering that I might be healed, those who hold hope when I cannot, those who bring the fun so I can forget cancer for a while, those who take children for playdates, those who help me shower and find clothes that fit, those who pick out and deliver books for me to read, those who run errands, those who help my parents and siblings (because my parents and siblings are helping me), those who travel long distances to help and visit, those who send gifts, those who bring the Sacraments, those who provide spiritual direction, those who give the best hugs, those who drive me to appointments, those who bring me to tears each time I see them because of the greatness of their love. And this list goes on and on.

We all have a mission of love—what an exciting opportunity that is! Take some time this week to consider how you can build up those around you with the gifts God has given you. Something that seems small to you might be just what is needed.”

Thank you for loving Colleen and for continuing to walk with our family.

With love and gratitude,

Jeremy and the Wishall Family

Original:

Hello All,

For those who are new to my story, I was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer metastatic to my liver on January 1, 2025. This diagnosis, which was precipitated by a few bouts of terrible heartburn came as a huge shock. As a lifelong athlete, lover of healthy food and avoider of toxic chemicals, the "C" word was one I NEVER considered would become a part of my life. Since the start of the year we have visited many doctors and pursued many treatments (chemo, radiation, holistic, etc.) with no positive effect. Unfortunately, when my cancer was discovered it was already considered by the experts to be too large and too dangerously enmeshed in my vascular system for me to be a candidate for surgery.

On September 15th I was hospitalized after internal bleeding left me with dangerously low hemoglobin. After two and a half weeks I was discharged and am now receiving nursing care at home and, per my team's advice, not pursuing any medical treatment at this time. As we continue to adjust to life after my hospitalization, we’ve realized our biggest need is consistent, reliable help for our family — from morning through bedtime.

We’ve been so blessed by our amazing babysitter, who drives the kids to school and helps during the busy after-school hours. That leaves us in need of daytime support at home for myself and Ava.

My sister, Erin, and her husband, Leonardo, feel called to relocate themselves and their two young sons from Cheshire, CT to Stamford to help provide this consistent care and support. To make this possible, we’re raising funds to cover their moving expenses and rent from December 1st through the end of the school year.

Any contribution will make a difference and, as always, your prayers are what we need the most. If donations exceed the cost of housing, the extra funds will help Jeremy’s family travel from Colorado to continue supporting us.

If you have housing leads, please reach out to us — especially since their stay includes the winter months (perhaps a family heading south might want someone to care for their home while they’re away!). While a seven month rental would be preferred, they are very open to other options.

Through every struggle and suffering, God always pours out many blessings. Our children and Erin and Leonardo's are quite excited to soon live close by and be at the same school together!

We’re so grateful for the incredible love, generosity, and prayers surrounding our family during this time. With love and gratitude,

Colleen & Jeremy (and Hannah, Daniel, Luke & Ava)

Erin & Leonardo (and Zion & Jasper)