Colin Beats Cancer

Hi everyone!

I am reaching out to all of you on behalf of my nephew Colin Cabrera, I am starting a Colin Beats Cancer Fund. Colin was a happy rambunctious, very active 12 year old boy who was as normal as can be complete with the snarky attitude pre-teens go through, but that all changed in February 2024.

Colin was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma with mets to the lungs. It all started end of January 2024 while on a plane ride to the Philippines to attend his grandfathers funeral, he complained of having leg/thigh pain. Initially we thought it was caused by sitting in cramped seat for 18 hours. Bur the pain didn’t go away to where he was in tears at times. He was taken to his primary care physician who suggested he be taken to the ER because he may have developed a blood clot. In the ER, his parents were told there was no blood clot, (which would have been a better diagnosis) but instead imaging showed that he had a large tumor on his R-upper thigh consistent with Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a rare form of cancer which only occurs in about 1000 people in the US per year about ½ of the cases are in children. Colin needed treatment ASAP as the tumor was large and it has already spread to his lungs affecting the long-term prognosis. He was immediately started on chemotherapy in order to prevent further spread and to shrink the tumor in preparation for bone salvage/tumor resection of the cancer in his thigh. The immediate effects of the chemo took its toll on Colin, he dropped about 25 lbs within 3 weeks, he lost his hair, his appetite and energy. He also had to be admitted to the hospital several times due very low red blood cells and platelets requiring transfusions. It was heartbreaking seeing this once playful, active little boy stuck in bed completely wiped out, all these effects with just 2 rounds of chemo which is a combination of Cisplatin, Doxorubicin and Methotrexate given at weekly intervals with breaks in between. The good news is the tumor is responding to the chemo regimen and his pain has significantly decreased to where he hardly needs to take pain medications, a very good sign according to his oncologist.

Despite all this, Colin is trying to keep up with schoolwork and stay on track with his homebound program. So even while his chemotherapy is infusing at the hospital, he is attending class via Zoom. Colin’s goal is to be back into his regular 8th grade class and graduate with his friends. He remains hopeful and very optimistic that he will beat this, he is one of the bravest strongest boys I know, its sad watching him go through this and feel helpless in taking away the suffering he is going through.

When families go through cancer treatment it is not only emotionally draining it can also be financially draining as well. Unfortunately, there are no pediatric orthopedic/oncology surgeons in Las Vegas, Nevada and everyone is referred out of state for complicated surgeries like this. This is what made the situation even more financially draining because now their families would have to support 2 households, one in Las Vegas and one in Houston while being off work. On May 6, he will be traveling with his family to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for his surgery on May 14. May 7-9 he will be completing pre-op tests, imaging etc, in preparation for the surgery. The anticipated stay there with recovery will be about 3-5 weeks. We are hoping for a successful surgery with minimal complications.

This is where we will need your help, to help with his travel expenses, lodging/food, surmounting co-pays and hospitals bills. I ask that you pray and also donate to Colin Beats Cancer Fund. Even post surgery he will have a long ways to go. He will need to continue chemotherapy post op through November of this year to prevent the recurrence of the cancer, I am hoping that with all your prayers and support Colin will pull through and be back to his normal healthy, snarky attitude included. You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jcbimmer

Thank you so much,

Cabrera Family