An Angel Saved His Life

Rich White's battle with cancer and Jen White's fundraiser to honor his fight and his health.

Rich had been working long hours and seemed to be tired all the time. After he started falling asleep at work, his wife Jen encouraged him to see the doctor. So Rich scheduled an appointment with his family doctor. There, Rich discovered that he was anemic and that he had symptoms that suggested something else was going on. Rich scheduled an appointment with a Gastroenterologist and through that exam discovered that he had colon cancer. He was just 31 years old. Jen and Rich had been married for just over two years and Jen was just shy of 8 months pregnant with their first baby.

The tumor was so large, they couldnt finish the exam. The doc had to stop the test. Rich remembers. I was in shock about the diagnosis. After talking with Jen [Richs wife], we decided wed do whatever it took to get through it.

The doctor had come out and told me and I was in shock. Jen comments about finding out. He went in to tell Rich in recovery and then I just started hunting for a surgeon.

She quickly found a surgeon and had scheduled the pre-surgery work for the very next day. According to Rich, it was true Jen style to have things in order and ready to go for him. In turn, Rich put his heart into battling his cancer. He knew that he had to win this battle for his family as well as himself.

I remember waiting through the weekend for the results of the pre-surgery scan, Rich says. It was a difficult wait.

Ultimately, a treatment plan was recommended to Rich that included surgery and chemotherapy. Jen and Rich welcomed their little girl, Elizabeth (Libby), just a few days after Richs second surgery and six days before he was to start his chemotherapy. They did what all new parents do. They did the night time feedings. They dreamed of the life she would have. But they could only hope that she would grow up knowing her father.

Rich went through a total of three surgeries and months of chemotherapy. He would quietly slip out a side door from work for his weekly chemo treatments, seldom mentioning anything to anyone.

He fought with such quiet determination, without a single complaint, remembers Jen. I knew as we approached the 5 year mark [of Rich being cancer free] that we had to mark the anniversary in a way that would be true to who Rich was.

Jen describes Rich as the pay it forward kind. And after a bit of internet research, Jen decided to hold a surprise celebration and fundraiser to honor Richs 5th year anniversary of being cancer free. She chose Gateway as the beneficiary because shes hoping that things might be different when her daughter is older and believes that Gateway can make the difference.

After months of planning, the big night came. Jen had told Rich that they were going to a fundraiser for a local hospital as a favor to Richs brother and his wife.

When I walked in, I remember seeing my moms face and thinking Thats odd. Why would she be here and then I kept walking. Rich laughs. I thought I was in the wrong room.

Jen corralled Rich back to the room to resounding applause. As Jen ended her opening remarks for the evening, she introduced the angel that was Richs inspiration throughout his battle. Libby, Jen and Richs 5-year old daughter, entered the room in her pajamas, found her daddy, and ran to him.

Jen had Libby put to bed and then the event really got going. More than 80 friends and family were gathered to celebrate Richs victory over cancer and bid generously on the auction items Jen had secured for the occasion. Although the money is still coming in, at the writing of this article, they have raised $17,750.