Caiden just turned 17.

He loves being outside, playing video games, and making the people around him laugh. To his little cousins, he’s the one who reads bedtime stories, waits for them on hikes, and splits his candy with them. To his friends, he's the good-natured guy who will always make you laugh. To his family, he's the kind, empathetic kid who has always shown a love for animals and kids.

In November 2025, what started as strep throat led to a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer. Caiden spent the next year in chemotherapy and radiation. He was close to finishing when, about a month ago, he had seizures. Doctors found a lesion on his brain: the cancer had spread to his central nervous system.

He has now started a new 42-week course of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

What this past year has looked like:

Treatment often leaves Caiden feeling weak and sick. Because his immune system is suppressed, infections have kept him in the hospital for weeks at a stretch, and someone from his family has slept beside him every night.

His mom, Katie, hasn’t been able to work in over a year because he needs care around the clock. His dad, Corey, travels often for work to provide for the family, and when he’s back at home, he’s at the hospital, cooking for the kids, and generally trying to make sure the family can still find moments of levity and laughter. Grandma Mona fills in as best as she can, looking after the pets and the house in between many trips to the hospital. Caiden’s older brother Jake and twin sister Bella have had to grow up fast.

Through all of it, Caiden has kept showing up: to school virtually when he can, for his friends, and for his family, as funny and kind (and occasionally mischievous) as ever.

What your support covers:

Your gifts carried the family through the first year, covering medical expenses, groceries, gas and parking, support for the siblings. Our increased goal of $100,000, covers the next 42 weeks:

-Replacing Katie’s income so she can stay at Caiden’s side

-Medical bills and costs insurance doesn’t cover

-Gas, parking, and meals during hospital stays

-Day-to-day needs for Caiden’s brother and sister

To the 488 people who have already given: thank you. You kept this family steady through the hardest year of their lives. If you can give again, it makes a real difference. If you can’t, sharing this page with a few people who’d care about Caiden matters too.

Yi (Caiden’s aunt) and Kayla (Caiden's cousin), for Caiden’s family