2020-21 Race 4 Research Honoree: Preston Kilzer
My name is Preston Kilzer. I’m a junior at Ponderosa High School and, like many of you, have a story to tell. Looking at me now, unless you are one of my close friends or family members, you would never have believed I was told by a doctor that I had widespread blood cancer and needed immediate treatment or I would die. I was five years old and my mom had noticed a rather large bump on my neck. She took me to the doctors, and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer centered primarily in my neck, lungs, liver and spleen. A port was placed right next to my heart where seven different kinds of chemotherapy drugs were pumped into my body. The side effects were harsh leaving me weak, hospitalized at times, with painful mouth sores and no hair or immune system. I also had a 4-year-old sister and 1-year-old brother, so needless to say my family was devastated with this news. Fortunately, after many months of treatment I went into remission and to this day, 12 years later, remain cancer free with just yearly checkups.
Preston with his mother, Tricia. Preston was a kicker on the Ponderosa High School football team in Parker, Colorado.
Years ago, my mom met Gary Reece, president of Cancer League of Colorado, at a local Step Up to Cancer event where she was volunteering at a booth for Nighthawk Ranch. Little did she know that Cancer League of Colorado was an organization that had impacted our family directly by donating to several of the pediatric nonprofit cancer organizations that I’ve had the privilege to be part of. These organizations, including Nighthawk Ranch and Camp Wapiyapi, have shaped me into the confident, compassionate, capable cancer-free teen I am today.
“Did you know a child is diagnosed every two minutes with cancer worldwide? Did you know one in five will not survive cancer? Because I am one of the four who survived it’s up to me to do what I can to help other children and families suffering from the effects of cancer. ”
There’s a very special equine camp nestled deep in the Sangre de Cristo mountains called Nighthawk Ranch. The owners Tom and Dorothy started this dude ranch style horseback riding camp where for a week I was given my very own horse to care for and ride all week. We took trail rides deep into the mountains allowing us to take in the breathtaking views and reap the benefits of equine therapy. In addition to horseback riding, we enjoyed archery, a ropes course, swimming, fishing, camping out underneath the stars, learning about Cowboy Ethics, and building our very own log cabin, but most importantly connecting with other children going through the same issues that I was going through. This camp gave a very dear friend of mine, Justin, his very last true Colorado Mountain Adventure opportunity before he passed away shortly thereafter. Tom and Dorothy taught each of the campers that the world is full of endless possibilities and for each of us to reach for the stars because we were fighters! Their mission statement says it all -- where spirits soar -- and mine certainly did. All children diagnosed with cancer from the ages of 10 to 18 are given this opportunity free of charge and I was one of the blessed ones. The following year I was old enough to be a Junior Counselor where I was able to give back and help fulfill the dreams of other boys going through a cancer diagnosis. I am still very good friends with the owners of Nighthawk Ranch and am very grateful for their generosity in building this camp. As a side note, BraveHoods, another organization Cancer League donates to provided all the campers warm hoodies to wear on the cool nights at Nighthawk.
In the past 12 years, I’ve also attended Camp Wapiyapi, a camp nestled near Estes Park that lets siblings of the child diagnosed with cancer come to their camp, and the Shining Stars Program. Shining Stars paired me with an expert skiing volunteer who taught me just about everything I needed to learn to get down the mountain. I’ve also attended its summer program, which allowed me to go paddle boating, go cart racing and white water rafting.
The most recent adventure that Cancer League made possible for me was a one in a lifetime experience called Over the Edge, where I rappelled down nearly 500 feet as a fundraiser for Cancer League.
Preston went Over the Edge for Cancer League of Colorado.
I’m grateful to be this year’s Race 4 Research Honoree, and for the incredible opportunity to raise awareness around the power of research. Did you know a child is diagnosed every two minutes with cancer worldwide? Did you know one in five will not survive cancer? Because I am one of the four who survived it’s up to me to do what I can to help other children and families suffering from the effects of cancer. I want to help support the organizations out there bringing smiles to a hurting child, like the many organizations that Cancer League supports. None of these life changing events could have been possible for me or my family without the generous donations from all of you and others who have given to Cancer League of Colorado.