Colby is
Blood Cancer United

In early 2026, Colby's life changed in an instant. He was nine years old and had some symptoms that brought him and his parents, Chris and Madelyn, to the emergency room. The doctor told them that his blood tests were abnormal and pointed toward something serious. “I remember being in the emergency room and feeling really scared,” Colby shares. Soon after, Colby was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), blood cancer, and immediately began treatment.  

For the next five months, Colby was in the hospital—missing out on school, sports, and time at home. He went through four intensive rounds of chemotherapy followed by long stretches of isolation as his immune system recovered. Colby also endured bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, and frequent blood transfusions.  

Through it all, Colby’s family, including his brother, Conner, was by his side. He also formed close bonds with his oncology team, who brought comfort on his hardest days and celebrated his good ones. Colby showed extraordinary resilience and took each challenge one day at a time.  

In June of 2026, Colby finally rang the bell surrounded by his family, doctors, and nurses—officially finishing treatment and in remission. Colby shares that his blood cancer diagnosis “showed me how strong I can be and how many people love and support me. Now I appreciate ordinary things—sleeping in my own bed, going to school, playing outside, and being with my brother—even more.” 

Today, 10-year-old Colby is cleared for activities and back to being a kid and making the people around him laugh with his quick humor and charm. He loves NASCAR, sports, riding his bike, fishing, and playing video games. Months after finishing treatment, he was invited to be the Kickoff Kid for the Houston Texans season opener with his family and friends cheering him on from the sidelines. 

“Kids facing blood cancer are more than their diagnosis,” Colby shares. “We are still kids who want to play, learn, laugh, and dream big.” With treatment behind him, Colby is moving full speed ahead toward a bright future.