Several months ago I received news that our dear friend Kasim Riddell has been diagnosed with an illness that threatens his life. Kasim is 45 years old and recently married the woman of his dreams – the wonderful Delilah, in November 2015. Their wedding was one of the most loved filled ceremonies that I have ever witnessed. Books could be written about the heart-felt vows they exchanged. Shortly after returning from their honeymoon Kasim and Delilah were busy with all of the moments couples celebrate during their year of “firsts”. Kasim had been feeling not quite like himself and visited the doctor for testing. He received the terrifying news that he had leukemia. He has flown back to the Mayo Clinic, twice now to undergo testing where he was re-diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma called Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma. He will have to undergo severe treatments of chemotherapy which will take many months. As you can imagine, this has created a challenging financial situation. 

He is not able to work full-time while he is going through treatments. When this sort of thing happens it is never planned and never at an ideal time in one’s life. I am hoping that we can all recognize that they need us to lean in and help. We need to ensure that our dear friend can spend his time healing and let his friends help him get through this. I am asking for financial donations so that they can pay everyday living expenses. My goal is to try and ease some of the burden so that they can focus on the important things right now.

I know the gratitude from Kasim and Delilah will be tenfold. I told Kasim to let us lean in for him. It is the least we can do. And, then one day, he can be the one we lean on because he is the kind of man that will be there in the blink of an eye, with a huge smile, extending a hand to help.

~ Samantha