The Cokeley Family

Hello, fellow community members. My name is Heather Conlon. I have had the privilege to call Skiatook my home for the past several years. You may know me as the local teacher/childcare director at Raising Hope Preschool and School Age Program. 2 years ago, we had an incredible woman come and apply with us and she was just the perfect fit. A kind-hearted, patient, loving mother of 4 with a great work eithic and fierce love for helping children and families succeed! Her name is Kellie Cokeley. Or Mrs. Kellie if you ask one of our kiddos. Just a few short months after hiring Kellie, her daughter Morgan also became a part of our Raising Hope family.

In December of 2021, while the family was battling covid-19, Kellie's husband Dale was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was in a coma for 6 days, and ended up staying 3 and a half weeks in the hospital. After this hospital stay, Dale had to relearn how to walk independently all over again. Shortly after, in February of 2021, the family received the news that Dale was battling something much more than just Covid. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. A type of cancer that forms in the plasma cells.

Being the strong Dad and Husband that Dale is, he has tackled this cancer head-on. At this time, he receives chemo treatments twice a week in Tulsa. As well as a daily chemo pill. Dale will receive Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in the next few months, also known as CAR T-cell therapy. This therapy is reserved for those that have failed at least 4 prior treatment types. His T cells will be harvested and sent to a lab where they will changed by adding a gene for a receptor which helps the T cells attach to a specific cancer cell antigen. He will then receive a strong dose of chemo and the cells will then be given back to him. Dale and Kellie will need to stay within 25 miles of the hospital in OKC during this time and for approx 4-6 weeks while Dale will recover. The Doctors say it is not uncommon for him to be admitted to the hospital during this time to manage complications.

Dale and Kellie leave for OKC for this procedure on June 21st. They will still have all of their normal rent and bills to pay, as well as 4 children they will still need to take care of. They will be paying for food and hotel stays during this 4-6 weeks which puts a strain on family finances since Kellie will be out of work. I am asking the community for help in raising funds for this incredible family. Any amount will truly help. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or Kellie directly.