Do it for D

Just one week ago Delaney was doing what she loves most-playing soccer. Fast Forward just 7 short days and her world has been turned upside down. She was diagnosed on Thursday (10/2) with Stage II Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer is never in anyone’s plan. Delaney’s plan included enjoying her last two years of high school, perhaps drive her parents a little crazy, make a run for a national championship with her beloved club soccer team and prepare to head to the University of Denver in 2021. Cancer is an unplanned and unwelcome detour. While we have no doubt Delaney will tackle this detour with vigor and ferocity, we also know it is not going to be easy. 

Delaney is a U17 Real Colorado Development  Academy Player, a sister, a DU soccer commit, a daughter, a diligent student, and an incredible friend and Teammate. In 6-8 months we will also add that she is a cancer Survivor to that impressive list. 


This devastating news came as a shock to Delaney and her family, as she was not showing any symptoms. In the last week, Delaney went from a healthy teenager telling her mom to check out a lump in her neck to a cancer patient. Right now, there are many unknowns. We are unsure of what the future holds-what will insurance cover, what will Delaney need in her fight? No one cancer patient’s battle is the same, and we all know Delaney is as unique as they come!


While there are so many unknowns for Delaney and her journey, we do know this: anyone who knows Delaney knows she has a heart of gold, and that she has always wanted to be a mom. She loves her baby sister, her friend's siblings, and pretty much any kiddo she comes into contact with. Delaney has not always just wanted to be a mom, she is meant to be a mom. At the age of 16, her opportunity to have a family of her own might be taken from her as the chemo and radiation can destroy her fertility. The family is being encouraged to freeze her eggs however the cost is great ($15-22 thousand). and insurance does NOT cover the cost of any of the fertility treatments.  No 16-year-old should have to be thinking of this, nor should her parents. Unfortunately, this is the reality of having cancer at 16. 


Delaney’s parents are not the type of people who ask for help, nor would they want anyone to feel pressure to help. But like any other parent-they want Delaney to have every opportunity to have a fulfilling life full of opportunities and choices. We are starting this go fund me in the hopes of raising the funds needed to deal with the unknown-preserve Delaney’s fertility, cover expenses not covered by insurance, and all of those things that will inevitably come up. 

Even greater than any monetary donation Chris and Laura would love your prayers and positive energy. They know the battle is just beginning, and that it will be lengthy. They appreciate any and all love and support. Delaney wears the number 13 in soccer, so feel free to plaster that number anywhere you can and are willing. When things get tough, we are encouraging you to "do it for D"- as Delaney is one of the toughest people you have ever met. 

From the bottom of our hearts thank you for reading this. Thank you for loving Delaney and supporting her. Live Big, as Delaney does. Fight hard. When you want to give up, give a little more. Do it for D.