11-year-old Prairie Middle School student, Colton Wray, is recovering at Lurie Children’s Hospital after his third surgery to remove a mass from his brain. In 2015, Colton was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, a very aggressive, Stage 3 brain cancer. They are awaiting test results as Colton bounces back from this surgery.
“Bravest kid I know. Last night was rough. This time he seems to have so much more pain and discomfort.” That’s the latest update from his parents on the Colton’s Ninja Warriors Facebook page. “He was awake most of the night crying out in pain, ‘It’s a 10!’… The first night is always the hardest so hopefully every day will get a little easier… We are so grateful for all the prayers and support.”
After 3 brain surgeries and 33 rounds of radiation, Colton IS a warrior, enduring pain and uncertainty while living his life and making friends as a brand new Barrington 220 student who loves his family, his dog and fingerboarding. Family friend, Jessica Spentzos says Colton is a fighter and has battled way more than any child should ever have to. “Although he hasn’t had the carefree life a child deserves, he has handled it with determination and strength.”
Inspired to support Colton’s healing, Jessica and her husband, Andy, are organizing a fundraiser and requesting donations to help the family. Jessica, who recently lost her father to brain cancer, says cannabis has been the only thing that has kept Colton’s tumor at bay, but it’s just one cost on a mounting list of expenses for Colton’s family.
“His family spends roughly $1,000 per month to provide Colton with cannabis daily. Sadly, Colton was again diagnosed a couple weeks ago with another tumor,” Jessica says. “Lets all gather to support this wonderful family both in raising spirits and raising necessary funds for the mounting costs the family is enduring.”
That’s according to an invitation sent by the Spentzos family for a fundraiser they’re hosting at their business, First Place Sports Bar & Grill at 1736 West Algonquin Road in Hoffman Estates on Thursday, September 29th. There will be live music from “Oh Yes Band” as well as food and drinks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $100 per adult and $20 per child. In order to avoid unnecessary fees and make sure the money goes to Colton’s family they ask that we please DIRECTLY venmo @coltons-ninja-warriors your $100 per adult tickets or $20 per child.
CLICK HERE for the event details. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets or make a donation directly to Colton’s mom, Brittany Cone, local small business owner and one very busy mom to both Colton and daughter, Lily, a freshman at Barrington High School.
Jessica says all are welcome to the party on September 29th.
She asks that you PLEASE TYPE out your FULL name & address with your Venmo payment to be properly thanked after event. If you are unable to attend, Jessica says any donation will help the family through this difficult time.
“All funds raised will go directly to Colton’s family to assist with all things associated with their struggling including medication, medical care, special dietary needs, etc. The family should be focusing on healing and thriving, we can help by relieving some of that financial burden that they have been faced with.
They’re also hoping to find a way to send Colton & his family to Disney World/Universal Studios this coming winter break. In the meantime, if funds aren’t available, they ask that we please keep Colton and his family in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
