The Doubleday family has been such a beautiful example of love and selflessness to our community. Rich was recently diagnosed with stage III embryonal carcinoma which has metastasize into stage IV lung cancer.

*Please scroll down to updates for up-to-date information regarding family needs and insight into Richs medical journey. Additional updates can also be found on Casey’s Facebook page.

Several months ago (July 2024) Rich went to his doctor expressing concern and discomfort so a referral was put in for an ultrasound. November 5th he finally had that appointment. When the ultrasound was over there was a lot of concern which led Rich and Casey to meet with urology at JBLM in Tacoma the following day. After a full body CT scan the urologist explained that a cancerous mass had been seen on the ultrasound and would need immediate removal and not only that but the mass had already burst causing internal bleeding. Emergency surgery was scheduled for the next morning (November 7th). Rich went in for emergency surgery, which by the grace of God, went smoothly. However, Rich and Casey’s story does not end there. Rich also had an enlarged lymph node near his kidney that was concerning, and needed removal along with over a dozen lymph nodes along the aorta. Following this second surgery (Dec 17th) lies an uphill battle. As of now (June 7th) Rich has gone through 12 heavy weeks of chemotherapy and had many unexpected trips to the emergency room as complications have arose during each round. Rich is nuetrophenic and suffering from numerous blood clots in the lungs, his left arm and fighting an infection in the lungs. There are more details about this in updates but I wanted to highlight the severity of the situation...

An additional facet to Rich and Casey’s story is that they also planned to expand their wonderful family, and have more children. However, with the complications they are facing, their options are limited. They started cryopreservation before chemotherapy in order for their family to continue growing. And will begin IVF in the near future. (First appointment for IVF is July 1st!!!)

With all of this being said, not only are they going through absolute mental, physical, and emotional turmoil, but the financial side of things cannot help. We all understand and know how quickly medical bills add up, how many things are not covered by insurances, or just how the expenditures that come along with getting to and from appointments add up especially with small children.

Our goal is to be able to take stress off this wonderful family fiscally, so the last thing they have to worry about is finances. The Doubledays have two service dogs one of which is on medication daily to control epilepsy which has become increasingly expensive during this difficult time. I know this community has already given to this amazing family, and I just know we have so much more in us!

I also wanted to share some kind words from a few of Rich and Casey’s close friends here.

“Rich and Casey are honestly an inspiring couple in every way you look. From childhood sweethearts, to the one that got away, and then reconnecting years later to find the ember still burning—they took that ember and built a beautiful hearth full of love to raise their growing family around. They continue that love further and pour their hearts into their community, wherever they go, and help make the world around them a brighter place. Through all this love and devotion, they’ve faced many challenges from extensive deployments while serving our United states Navy to having a chronically ill pup, to the difficulties of infertility and now this —however their faith and commitment has remained unwavering.

Rich is an amazing person. Growing up together in Florida he has always loved to play soccer. Even when he’s injured, that still doesn’t stop him from trying to get out on the field and multiple knee surgeries is proof of that! He's always been a strong person no matter what challenge is put in front of him. I know he will deal with this obstacle in the fashion he deals with every adversity; pushing through with little to no indicator of fear or hardship.

I've had the privilege of knowing and calling Rich my best friend since kindergarten. There's no one quite like him. He's just a gem of a person and truly the salt of the earth. When he walks into a room he brings energy and excitement into it that is just unbelievable uplifting. He can make you laugh when your down no matter the circumstances, his smile just fills a room with joy. He's the kind of person that will always stand by you and provide assistance if you need help with anything, when others would usually come up with reasons that they’re too busy.

Over the last decade Rich has faithfully served in the United States Navy aboard various aircraft carriers including the Nimitz and Lincoln in waters foreign and domestic. He's a devoted husband to his wife Casey and extraordinary father to their three children Blaire, Rylee and Liam and the greatest dog dad to Caleb and Grace. Together they love exploring the PNW and traveling all over the country. When he's not working you can find Rich soaking up every possible moment with his family and probably doing something to serve the community. Those are just a few things that sum up Rich and show what a loving, kind, and caring person he is. There is so much more to say than what can be put into these few short words, we just love him.

Rich now faces his biggest challenge yet with this cancer diagnosis and I want to challenge each of us to come together to support Rich and his family through this time. They have an uphill battle ahead of them and each of us can help provide the metaphorical armor and weapons they will need to help fight this. Through being physically present to provide assistance, financially and through faith, and the continuous power of prayer.”

• Ryan, James, Eric, and Kalista