Riley's battle against leukemia
Donation protected
Riley James Finn was born in July 2013 to Tim and Crystal Finn. He was perfect in every way, and his parents were enamored with him. Like most boys, he loved everything with wheels, loved playing hide-and-seek, peek-a-boo, and pretending to be dogs, tigers, and dinosaurs. He has amazed his parents with his alphabet, math, and spelling skills. He is a sweet, caring, and thoughtful boy, always giving his friends a hug goodbye at the end of the day before leaving his daycare.
In June of 2017, Crystal and Tim were excited to find out they were expecting their second child. Initially, Riley was not thrilled about becoming a big brother, but as he warmed up to the idea and got to see pictures, he often talked to the baby through Crystal's belly, and wanted to help pick out toys for his soon-to-be-sibling.
On October 10th, a week after Crystal and Tim celebrated their seventh anniversary, they got the news that they were having a girl. What should have been a day of celebration quickly turned into a day they will never forget. They got a call from Riley's daycare, saying that he had a fever and was lethargic, and they picked him up and took him to the pediatrician. The doctor was concerned about Riley's intermittent fatigue, low appetite, and new onset of fever and suggested blood tests to determine the cause. At 8:00 that night, Crystal and Tim received a call- the results of the blood test were suspicious for leukemia. They needed to bring Riley in the next morning to get a bone marrow biopsy to confirm.
By noon the next day, their worst fears were confirmed- their perfect, sweet little 4-year-old boy was diagnosed with leukemia. Over the course of the next couple of days, Riley was admitted to the Pediatric ICU at Renown, determined to have B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and Crystal and Tim spent long hours learning about the course of treatment, meeting with the pediatric oncologist, and trying to cope with the news.
Riley will have weekly chemotherapy and lumbar punctures over the first month of his treatment. After that, he will need to continue to have different rounds of chemo over the next 3 years. They were told that they can expect Riley to lose his hair, and that due to his compromised immune system, he will not be able to return to daycare for 9 months.
Crystal and Tim both work full-time. Crystal is a physical therapist at Renown Skilled Nursing, and Tim is an electrician. They were saving up their time off for when Crystal is due in late February. With Riley in the hospital for at least a week for his initial rounds of chemo, and repeated treatments each week, they are faced with the impossible choice of having to work for the money or being present for their son and each other. No parents should have to face that. Despite having good medical insurance, there will be significant costs out of pocket. They will not be able to send Riley to daycare and will have to arrange for family members or themselves to watch him at home.
While all of this is happening, they also have a baby on the way, and will need to be prepared for the added costs of additional time off, more medical bills, and all of the diapers, clothes, and other expenses a new baby brings.
Crystal and Tim have been overwhelmed with messages of support since Riley's diagnosis. Friends, family, and co-workers have sent loving messages and asked what they can do to help. This campaign was designed to ease their burden a little, and to give those who want to help an avenue to do so. They are thankful to you all for your thoughts and prayers during this time.
In June of 2017, Crystal and Tim were excited to find out they were expecting their second child. Initially, Riley was not thrilled about becoming a big brother, but as he warmed up to the idea and got to see pictures, he often talked to the baby through Crystal's belly, and wanted to help pick out toys for his soon-to-be-sibling.
On October 10th, a week after Crystal and Tim celebrated their seventh anniversary, they got the news that they were having a girl. What should have been a day of celebration quickly turned into a day they will never forget. They got a call from Riley's daycare, saying that he had a fever and was lethargic, and they picked him up and took him to the pediatrician. The doctor was concerned about Riley's intermittent fatigue, low appetite, and new onset of fever and suggested blood tests to determine the cause. At 8:00 that night, Crystal and Tim received a call- the results of the blood test were suspicious for leukemia. They needed to bring Riley in the next morning to get a bone marrow biopsy to confirm.
By noon the next day, their worst fears were confirmed- their perfect, sweet little 4-year-old boy was diagnosed with leukemia. Over the course of the next couple of days, Riley was admitted to the Pediatric ICU at Renown, determined to have B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and Crystal and Tim spent long hours learning about the course of treatment, meeting with the pediatric oncologist, and trying to cope with the news.
Riley will have weekly chemotherapy and lumbar punctures over the first month of his treatment. After that, he will need to continue to have different rounds of chemo over the next 3 years. They were told that they can expect Riley to lose his hair, and that due to his compromised immune system, he will not be able to return to daycare for 9 months.
Crystal and Tim both work full-time. Crystal is a physical therapist at Renown Skilled Nursing, and Tim is an electrician. They were saving up their time off for when Crystal is due in late February. With Riley in the hospital for at least a week for his initial rounds of chemo, and repeated treatments each week, they are faced with the impossible choice of having to work for the money or being present for their son and each other. No parents should have to face that. Despite having good medical insurance, there will be significant costs out of pocket. They will not be able to send Riley to daycare and will have to arrange for family members or themselves to watch him at home.
While all of this is happening, they also have a baby on the way, and will need to be prepared for the added costs of additional time off, more medical bills, and all of the diapers, clothes, and other expenses a new baby brings.
Crystal and Tim have been overwhelmed with messages of support since Riley's diagnosis. Friends, family, and co-workers have sent loving messages and asked what they can do to help. This campaign was designed to ease their burden a little, and to give those who want to help an avenue to do so. They are thankful to you all for your thoughts and prayers during this time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Herzog
Organizer
Sparks, NV
Crystal Finn
Beneficiary
