Support River's Fight Against Burkitt's Lymphoma

Hello Family and Friends.

I am LaDawn Collins, the very proud Aunt and Great Aunt to Brittany and River. As many of you know, on the afternoon of Thursday, December 3rd, our strong, smart, funny, kind, loving, silly, spunky, and gentle 11-year-old River was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was immediately transported to Children's Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. By Friday afternoon, he was officially diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a very aggressive cancer. The decision was made to move River to St. Jude's hospital in Memphis, but arranging that move took two more days. Meanwhile, his tumors were doubling in size every 12-48 hours. The amazing team from St. Jude's arrived Sunday, December 8th, and transported him to their facility.

River's road to recovery will take time. As of now, it seems as if he will be at St. Jude's for up to 6 months, with the slight possibility of scattered opportunities to stay in Memphis at the Ronald McDonald House between chemotherapy treatment series. His immune system and organs will be hit hard, and his doctors do not want him far from the hospital at any given time.

Brittany will be balancing staying with River and driving close to 2 hours back home to love on her 6-year-old son Sawyer and 15-year-old son Gabe. While it has been a sprint up to now, she knows a marathon is ahead of them.

As a mother, I cannot imagine the emotions, fears, concerns, and thoughts that they are processing now. I cannot imagine seeing my 11-year-old in excruciating pain for days and realizing the concerns and fears that he must also have. I think about the courage it is taking for River to endure the pain that this cancer is creating in his body. I think about the concerns and fears he has as he watches his body go through changes as the swelling everywhere sets in because his body cannot process all the fluids. I wonder what it must be like to be an active 11-year-old boy one day and the very next day be in a hospital and not know when you will get to go back home and see your brothers and friends. He is braver than I can imagine.

Many people have been reaching out to Brittany asking how they can help. As of now, aside from prayers, financial assistance will be the greatest blessing. She will be away from work for an unknown amount of time. Funds raised will be given to Brittany to help offset the expenses that will be accrued during River's battle to beat cancer! I am praying that our family, friends, and community can help alleviate the financial stresses so Brittany can focus on supporting River. Please consider donating any amount to help River and his family fight this battle. Sharing this page with your network would also be greatly appreciated.