Cousins are the best friends you get to grow up with. They are the ones you are connected to by blood but choose to stay close out of friendship. You get to share many memories with them, navigate growing up together, continue traditions, and share inside jokes. Personally, I was blessed with some pretty amazing cousins. My cousin Scotty is one of the most loving, caring, generous, strong, and brave people I know. Scotty and I are 13 months apart and have always been close. From the trips up north, riding around together, getting in trouble, hunting trips, fishing trips, camping in the driveway as kids, helping teach me to drive a stick shift up north, making plans about how we would always stay close once we had our own families. I’m so grateful for our friendship in this life.

Scotty is an amazing and loved Father, Son, Partner, Cousin and Friend.

As some of you know, he’s had medical struggles since he was a child, needing a kidney transplant at 2 years old. As a young adult, he was on and off dialysis along with several other medications, countless hospital stays, and the ups and downs from good to bad news. Eight months ago, he finally received a kidney transplant he had waited years to receive. Only months after receiving this kidney transplant, he was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma advanced, which has metastasized to his esophagus, lymph nodes, and liver. He’s blessed with two beautiful little girls and a loving partner who adore him and are attached at his hip. Through everything, Scotty has been so brave and continued to push through all of the ups and downs. He is still fighting with everything he can while still looking at the future for him and his family. He is receiving chemotherapy treatment to help combat the spread.

Recently, we all went to Tennessee to spend time together and do what he loves, be with family and see some pretty cool hot rod cars. On this trip, he was in a great deal of pain but was determined to do as much as he can with his girls and family. After arriving home, he went to the hospital to find a tumor had ruptured internally and has now been readmitted due to his significant blood loss and pain. He has asked if everyone can please keep him and his family in their prayers. He is so grateful for any support through this difficult time. We have also put a GoFundMe together to help Scotty’s girls and his support people who are missing work; medical bills are adding up. Anything such as a prayer, simple support message, or donation is appreciated, and we are grateful.