Equal Opportunity Fund Raisers

Colten is home and doing well with his family. He is awaiting tests in Tucson prior to heading down there for the long term and bone marrow transplant.

Before we go any further, just a great big shout out to everyone who has already pitched in to help and those of you who are planning on doing so in the future! It really does mean a lot to the Cowell family and they are extremely appreciative of what everyone has done.

Remember that the carwash is coming up this weekend at the Autozone on Gilbert/Guadalupe in Gilbert. We will be there from 10-4. Donations to the Cowell family will be accepted for a pretty decent car wash.



In addition a Cruisin for Colten Fun Run has been set up and will be held at the end of October. You can see all the information below:

Cruisin for Colten 3 mi Fun Run, October 24

Registration begins at 730, Run begins at 9, Walk begins at 910
Cooper Basin K-8 (In the Copper Basin Development off of Hunt Highway)
28682 N Main St
Queen Creek, AZ 85243

Cost: $20 per adult, includes t-shirt, refreshments and participatin in the run/walk
Children are free

Log onto paypal and pay using cruisinforcolten@yahoo.com or you can email Lisa Chavez at crusinforcolten@yahoo.com to find out where payment can be mailed

T-shirts can be purchased on their own the day of the event for $12 . You can also buy one thru paypal, but if you need it shipped, please add $1 to the price.

Please register by October 16 so that we know how many people will be there and how many t-shirts we will need.

This is just a fun run! No prizes, awards, just good people supporting good people.

If you need more info, please email Lisa at cruisinforcolten@yahoo.com.

See you all at the carwash!!! I promise to take pics and post them after the fact :)

New Post or Re-Post?

Hello everyone -

Just checking in to say hello and update folks who may not be visiting Colten's Caring bridge site (the link is to the left if you would like too).

He is home with his family in their temporary living space for now after his counts started to go up this week. He is now awaiting the Bone Marrow Transplant! While this is a scary step, it is a step in the right direction and for healing his little body. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Also, if you came to donate, please click on the Paypal button to the left. I have had reports of the site not working properly, so just a couple of tips:

Click on the donate button

Then enter the amount you want to donate

Then hit Update Total

Then you can fill in your information or log into your paypal account

If that still doesn't work, please send me an email.

Lastly, we still need volunteers for the car wash...even for 30 minutes and hour, you can bring a case of water...anything will help us continue to help the Cowell family. The info on the car wash is in an earlier post on this blog (see below).

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this and everyone who has passed it on. Keep it up!

Come One, Come All

There has been a car wash arranged to raise money to help support the Cowell family as they continue on this journey with Colten. The information is below:

Sunday, October 4th, 10 am - 4 pm
AutoZone
955 N Gilbert Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85234

They will be providing us with buckets, soap, sponges and the water...which is really fantastic!

Please pass the word to anyone you may work with who lives in the area or is even willing to drive to get a car wash for a good cause.

In addition, we will need volunteers. This is the perfect way to come and support the Cowell family by giving of your time and energy. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact:

Kris Taylor, rtaylor37@cox.net or
Amy Conover, aajprt@cox.net

If you are busy that day, but still want to help email us and I am sure we can find a way!

As always, thank you to everyone who has already pitched in and to those who will be doing so in the future!

Up and Running...Again

The Donate button to your left is working again!

Thank you so much for supporting the Cowell family.

Remember that you can copy and paste the blog link into any email, facebook page or even link it to your own blog. Spreading the word will no doubt bring Colten's healing along faster.

Paypal Buttheads!

Hello everyone,

We are currently experiencing difficulty with the paypal donation account, if you came to donate, please come back soon!

Thank you for coming here to support me!!

Colten's Story

Welcome! This is the story of a sweet, spunky little three year old who captures the hearts of everyone he meets. His name is Colten.

Three years ago, Erika and Dale were looking forward to having their first child together and bringing him into their already blended family. This young family, already consisting of seven, quickly became the biggest cheerleaders they would ever be in order to bring Colten home. Colten was a baby with Down Syndrome and would bring a new set of joy to them. It was not long before Colten was surprising everyone with his progress and winning hearts where ever he went. Colten has truly been a blessing and a special gift to his family.

In January 2009 as Colten continued to grow, the unthinkable happened. Erika and Dale learned that Colten had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He would spend the next six months in and out of the hospital receiving chemotherapy. All of which he handled like a trooper and never lost his signature blonde hair. The entire family was relieved when they were told he was in remission in July of this same year. Colten headed for home and had a blast celebrating with those who love him at his "End of Treatment" Bash. Things could not have gone better.

But on August 28th, just weeks later, the cancer was back. And now, Erika, Dale, and their family are bracing for the next step – a bone marrow transplant in Tucson, AZ. They face months of separation of their family, the fear and uncertainty of the treatment ahead, and the overwhelming financial strain of the situation. Erika, a homemaker and daycare provider, cannot work as she needs to care for Colten. Dale, a police officer, is having difficulty managing the extra expenses of lodging, food and gas as they continue on this journey.

Erika has said, “What’s 4 months in the life of a child?” when asked how she is handling all of this. Really, what is 4 months, as long as it means that Colten is stronger and healthier at the end and truly does Kick Cancer’s Butt!

We, their friends and family, are coming together to ask for help for this family in crisis as they continue on this journey. Please join us! To give you an idea of just how little can go so far:

$10 pays for two meals in the hospital
$15 pays for a night’s stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson
$20 pays for a half a tank of gas so that Colten’s family can visit him in Tucson

Click on the Donate button to the left to make a donation to Colten and his family!