Shortly after Thanksgiving, Colleen faced the challenge of a lifetime when she suffered a stroke—a moment that stopped us all in our tracks. What followed has been an intense and rapidly evolving medical journey that no family could ever be prepared for. In the days after her admission, doctors discovered a serious infection on her heart valve that likely caused clots to travel to her brain and lungs, leading to significant complications. Treatment has required an extremely careful, day-by-day balance, as lifesaving options for one condition could worsen another.

Colleen has endured brain swelling and bleeding, time on a ventilator and feeding tube, severe infections, and countless tests and procedures. There were moments of deep uncertainty—but through it all, she has fought with extraordinary strength. Against the odds, she is now breathing on her own, speaking, laughing, recognizing loved ones, and slowly returning to herself. Her personality, her humor, and her unmistakable spark remain very much intact.

Anyone who knows Colleen knows she has a heart of gold and a deeply generous spirit. She has a rare ability to make everyone around her feel seen, special, and loved. Colleen pours her whole heart into caring for others, even when the road is difficult. She has never shied away from responsibility—or, as she would say, the privilege—of caring for those she loves.

This devotion was especially evident in the care she gave her mother during her own health journey. Colleen lovingly supported her through heart valve surgery and remained her fiercest advocate until, heartbreakingly, the family lost her mother, Bonnie. Navigating the grief of that loss while simultaneously pouring every ounce of strength into Colleen’s recovery has been an unimaginable mountain for her family to climb.

Colleen is a warrior—strong, resilient, and a true force of nature. She has never complained about the hardships she has faced or allowed her diagnoses to dim her love for life. Even warriors need support. If you can contribute, your generosity will help ease the burden on her family so they can focus on what matters most: being by her side as she continues to heal. Prayers, love, and encouragement of any kind mean more than words can express.

Colleen still has a long road ahead. Recovery from multiple strokes, a heart infection, and ongoing clot management will require time, extensive care, and continued monitoring. While her journey has included remarkable milestones, it remains filled with challenges. Each day, she works tirelessly to regain her strength and mobility—but stroke recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

As you can imagine, the emotional and financial strain on her family during this season has been immense. As Colleen moves through different stages of rehabilitation, expenses continue to mount—from hospital stays to ongoing therapy and intensive rehab. While the long-term path is still uncertain, it is vital that Ken, Erica, Nicole, and Colleen’s brother Brian are able to focus fully on her care without the crushing weight of financial stress. It’s our turn to support her. We’ve got YOU, Colleen!

We are asking for your help to ease the burden on Colleen and her family so they can focus entirely on healing. Whether through a donation, sharing this page, or sending a message of encouragement, your support will help the Gore family continue moving forward.

Thank you for standing with Colleen on this long journey of hope and healing.