Support Cole in His Fight Against Leukemia
Donation protected
When Brad and Brittany got married in 2013 and starting to grow their family in 2015, they never imagined their family of 4 would one day be impacted by childhood cancer. And yet on an ordinary Tuesday, April 6th, the Magnus family received the devastating news that no family wants to hear.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Cole was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). After several months of hearing multiple opinions from many different doctors, the Magnus family finally had an answer – and it wasn’t what was expected.
On February 2, 2021, Brittany noticed swollen lymph nodes on her 2-year-old, Cole's, neck and immediately scheduled an appointment with his pediatrician. The prognosis was that swollen lymph nodes are common, and they should naturally disappear in a few weeks with the help of an antibiotic. However, it didn't go away and his parents concern was still heightened. They say a parent's intuition is never wrong, and thankfully, Brittany and Brad trusted their guts and insisted on further testing. Cole received a chest X-ray, an ultrasound, and bloodwork before being sent home with another antibiotic to help reduce the swelling of the lymph nodes. Neither the x-ray, ultrasound, nor bloodwork showed any signs of abnormality, yet his swollen lymph nodes continued to grow.
After two weeks on the antibiotic, and his swollen lymph nodes around his neck still there, Brad and Brittany persisted with requests for a CT scan until a doctor finally heard their cry for help. The CT scan showed clusters of swollen lymph nodes, which lead to an ENT referral. On March 25, 2021, the ENT prescribed 5 more days of antibiotics and a steroid and scheduled Cole to receive a biopsy.
On the morning of Monday, April 5, 2021, they arrived at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL for their scheduled biopsy. At Cole’s age, the standard procedure requires general anesthesia to perform the biopsy on the largest swollen lymph node. This procedure alone is more than any child should have endured. Brad and Brittany were told they would hear back with the biopsy results in a few days, and they headed back home. Cole was excited to see his big brother Hudson after a long day.
Around 7:30 PM that evening, Brad and Brittany received a phone call from the Lurie Hospital’s oncology department.
“Your son has cancer, and it is either Lymphoma or Leukemia,” the doctor on the other line said. “We need to do more testing right away. Come back to the hospital immediately.”
Brittany’s mom went to the house right away to watch their 5-year-old son, Hudson, and Brad and Brittany raced Cole back to the hospital, carrying with them fear and worry about their son. As soon as they arrived, Cole received a chest X-ray. The X-ray came back clear, however, they found swollen lymph nodes in his groin. His hemoglobin and platelets were low, and an IV was started. The doctor informed Brad and Brittany that Cole would be admitted, and the next few days would contain a multitude of tests.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 7 am the doctor confirmed that Cole has Leukemia.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, Cole received a bone marrow biopsy, a port insertion, and a spinal fluid check. He received his first dose of chemotherapy in his spine and will begin chemotherapy through his port on Thursday, April 8th.
We know these times are difficult for many families, and we thank you, for reading this far and hearing little Cole’s story. As a cousin to Brittany, I’ve watched her and Brad flourish as parents to Hudson (5) and Cole (2). They settled into their new roles of Mom and Dad with selfless love, utter contentedness, and a naturalness that makes everyone witnessing their family smile. They’ve built a home of safety, love, and unexpected fun in things big and small. Hudson and Cole know they are adored and you can’t help but look at any pictures of the Magnus family and feel the incredible love they have for one another.
Their story as a family is shifting now, and a new unknown chapter is being written. The journey ahead will be hard and we’re pleading for your help to supply them with practical support and heartfelt prayers. We are incredibly grateful for your consideration to donate. All funds raised will be put directly to help with the medical bills, time off of work, and financial burdens the Magnus family is facing as they focus their care solely on getting Cole to remission. We will continue to share updates as Cole fights ALL and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Cole was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). After several months of hearing multiple opinions from many different doctors, the Magnus family finally had an answer – and it wasn’t what was expected.
On February 2, 2021, Brittany noticed swollen lymph nodes on her 2-year-old, Cole's, neck and immediately scheduled an appointment with his pediatrician. The prognosis was that swollen lymph nodes are common, and they should naturally disappear in a few weeks with the help of an antibiotic. However, it didn't go away and his parents concern was still heightened. They say a parent's intuition is never wrong, and thankfully, Brittany and Brad trusted their guts and insisted on further testing. Cole received a chest X-ray, an ultrasound, and bloodwork before being sent home with another antibiotic to help reduce the swelling of the lymph nodes. Neither the x-ray, ultrasound, nor bloodwork showed any signs of abnormality, yet his swollen lymph nodes continued to grow.
After two weeks on the antibiotic, and his swollen lymph nodes around his neck still there, Brad and Brittany persisted with requests for a CT scan until a doctor finally heard their cry for help. The CT scan showed clusters of swollen lymph nodes, which lead to an ENT referral. On March 25, 2021, the ENT prescribed 5 more days of antibiotics and a steroid and scheduled Cole to receive a biopsy.
On the morning of Monday, April 5, 2021, they arrived at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL for their scheduled biopsy. At Cole’s age, the standard procedure requires general anesthesia to perform the biopsy on the largest swollen lymph node. This procedure alone is more than any child should have endured. Brad and Brittany were told they would hear back with the biopsy results in a few days, and they headed back home. Cole was excited to see his big brother Hudson after a long day.
Around 7:30 PM that evening, Brad and Brittany received a phone call from the Lurie Hospital’s oncology department.
“Your son has cancer, and it is either Lymphoma or Leukemia,” the doctor on the other line said. “We need to do more testing right away. Come back to the hospital immediately.”
Brittany’s mom went to the house right away to watch their 5-year-old son, Hudson, and Brad and Brittany raced Cole back to the hospital, carrying with them fear and worry about their son. As soon as they arrived, Cole received a chest X-ray. The X-ray came back clear, however, they found swollen lymph nodes in his groin. His hemoglobin and platelets were low, and an IV was started. The doctor informed Brad and Brittany that Cole would be admitted, and the next few days would contain a multitude of tests.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 7 am the doctor confirmed that Cole has Leukemia.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, Cole received a bone marrow biopsy, a port insertion, and a spinal fluid check. He received his first dose of chemotherapy in his spine and will begin chemotherapy through his port on Thursday, April 8th.
We know these times are difficult for many families, and we thank you, for reading this far and hearing little Cole’s story. As a cousin to Brittany, I’ve watched her and Brad flourish as parents to Hudson (5) and Cole (2). They settled into their new roles of Mom and Dad with selfless love, utter contentedness, and a naturalness that makes everyone witnessing their family smile. They’ve built a home of safety, love, and unexpected fun in things big and small. Hudson and Cole know they are adored and you can’t help but look at any pictures of the Magnus family and feel the incredible love they have for one another.
Their story as a family is shifting now, and a new unknown chapter is being written. The journey ahead will be hard and we’re pleading for your help to supply them with practical support and heartfelt prayers. We are incredibly grateful for your consideration to donate. All funds raised will be put directly to help with the medical bills, time off of work, and financial burdens the Magnus family is facing as they focus their care solely on getting Cole to remission. We will continue to share updates as Cole fights ALL and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Fundraising team (3)
Natalie Laczek
Organizer
Downers Grove, IL
Britt Magnus
Beneficiary
Chelsea Ritchie
Team member
Chelsea Ritchie
Team member
