Urijah Kicking Cancer's Butt

On January 24th, 2016, Urijah David Carmitchel came into this world, bringing with him an enormous amount of love and light to share with those around him. Not but twenty months into his life journey, Uri will be facing his greatest challenge yet as he begins his battle with cancer. On September 3, 2017, Uri was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare type of cancer affecting the liver. While Uri’s prognosis appears to be positive, undoubted challenges lie ahead for both Urijah and his family in this difficult time.


Urijah is my nephew, and I have learned more from him already than I will ever be able to teach. As a very resilient, healthy, happy, and easygoing little guy, Urijah was the first baby I was not completely terrified to hold or babysit. If you have ever met him, you have seen the heart melting quality of his big brown eyes, which, without words seem to express “it’s all going to be ok.”


Urijah is an active little boy with a wide range of hobbies. His main interests include cats, trucks, and reading books and he enjoys taking walks and hikes with his family members. As he has also started talking, he loves learning new words and making animal sounds at every opportunity (mooooo is a classic favorite.)


I have had the pleasure of watching Urijah and his parents grow into a close knit family. I have watched my sister, Shauni, and her husband, Seth, fall in love every day with this tiny little human, and seen them make great sacrifices for him with ease. They are amazing, caring people and astoundingly passionate parents that have, and will continue to do, anything for this little boy. In this time, more than ever, Urijah is blessed to have the care of two such intelligent, driven, and caring young adults as Shauni and Seth.



With his recent diagnosis, much will be changing for this family, including a relocation from Mancos, Colorado, where they have resided for the past year, to ensure that Urijah receives the proper medical care he needs to beat this illness. As you read this, Shauni and Seth are at the Denver Children’s Hospital with their child, as he begins chemotherapy treatment to shrink the tumor on his liver, which will eventually need to be removed. Although they have approached these challenges head on, with no hesitation and great dignity and strength, I know these times are very difficult. Their animals are in the care of family, and they will be unable to return to their home in Mancos. They will be moving to Denver as soon as is necessary, and Seth will be seeking new employment. Shauni will quit teaching in order to care for Urijah as he will be unable to attend normal daycare through his treatment.


Shauni, Seth, and Urijah need funds to support their relocation fees, hospital bills, and food during their stay in Denver. Any contribution is helpful in these trying times and they are more than appreciative for any time and resources you have taken to connect and share in Urijah’s healing journey. Feel free to share this page with others, through facebook or other means. Again: anything helps.


Here is a link to Urijah’s caringbridge page, which will be updated with information on Urijah’s current condition.


https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/urijahcarmitchel


This is an amazing little human, and an amazing little family that I am so blessed and honored to know and share my life with. They are astoundingly tough, honest, and caring people and I know that our community will respond to this unfortunate happening with nothing but love and respect. Thank you again for contributing to the “Urijah Kicking Cancer’s Butt” campaign, if you have any questions about where your contribution is heading feel free to PM me. Let’s help Urijah and his family through this, so that he can continue shining that bright love, personality and smile out into the world for many years to come!


Love you all, and thank you.



Xoxox

Catlyn