Send Kelsey to the Oregon Coast

My cousin Kelsey Whitby was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM) when she was 24 years old (that's an aggressive cancer of the brain and spinal column). Now, 6 and a half years later, she was told that she has about 6 months to live. Only 10% of GBM patients survive five years but Kelsey has always been determined to live life on her terms.

Kelsey married her best friend, Derrick, in 2015, and they have a beautiful son, Otto, who was born in December 2016.   They make their home in Whitefish, Montana and are proud to be members of their community. Derrick runs his own business, Weathervane Builders, and he works long hours in a job he loves to support his family.  Kelsey coached the Whitefish youth soccer team for years and more recently has spent her time caring for Otto, recovering from surgeries and treatments, and otherwise trying to enjoy her life.

Here's how you can help: Kelsey and Derrick want to take Otto to the Oregon Coast in late August.  They will schedule their trip between Kelsey's surgeries and radiation and chemo treatments so she can enjoy some time with the people she loves most in the world. Your donation will help Kelsey and her family experience the beautiful rugged coast of Oregon with some of the comforts they have never been able to afford. They will need enough to pay for two weeks of travel, hotels and rental homes, many fabulous meals, and any activity they could possibly want to experience. This will also help Derrick take the time he needs from his business to be with his family.

My cousin Kelsey is dynamic, loving, smart, headstrong, and one of the bravest people in the world. From the moment of her diagnosis she has insisted on living every day of her life to its fullest. Now, faced with the knowledge that her time is more limited than any of us want to believe, she needs a little help to push forward and take advantage of every moment with the people she loves.

Please donate whatever you can, and spread the word. Every bit helps. And please tell others who love the Kelsey, Derrick, and Otto: if you share this page with three people and they do the same, we’ll meet our goal in a week!

Update/edit: Kelsey, Derrick, and Otto have purchased their tickets for the coast and their trip is definitely on for August, thanks to all of your tremendous support. At the request of GoFundMe I am adding some details about how these funds will be transferred:
I have solicited the help of my aunt, Kelsey's mother, Betsy Funk (nee Spivey) to get Kelsey these funds. Betsy has set up the Kelsey Whitby Glioblastoma Fund and I have listed her as the "beneficiary" so she can organize the transfer of funds into the fund. The funds will be transferred into the bank account by Betsy, then withdrawn/used by Kelsey as she needs/desires.  I'm sure this detailed explanation seems odd but GoFundMe has indicated it is necessary for us to proceed.  Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again, yall!