My name is Rachel, I am the owner of The Cure Cafe'. My husband Robert and I have two wonderful kids, Charlotte and Colin. Many people wonder... why "the cure?" Well, this is our story.
July 9, 2021 our lives changed forever. One year old Colin was experiencing extreme discomfort, a high fever, and small red dots randomly all over his body. These symptoms led his pediatrician to send us to the hospital. Sitting in the Elliot ER, after bloodwork, the doctor walked into the room and said "we don't know exactly what this is but we believe its cancer". Our world was turned upside down in that moment. We were absolutely shocked and devasted by this news. Colin was immediately taken to Boston Children's hospital by ambulance where he was formally diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer in his blood. He was inpatient for the next 48 days as he began treatment, during this stay we celebrated his 2nd birthday. Colin spent more than 100 days inpatient at Boston Children's Hospital before completing the rest of his outpatient treatments at Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic. A couple months into his cancer treatment Colin went into remission - no more cancer was being detected in his blood. Leukemia patients continue chemotherapy for two years after their remission date. Studies have shown this works best in keeping the cancer away.
After two and a half years more that 600 doses of oral chemotherapy, more than 150 "pokes" with IV chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and countless other medications, Colin rang the bell. He was given his last dose of chemotherapy on November 7 2023. HE DID IT! We celebrated with a parade in New Boston, a town that has showed us time and time again the meaning of community. During Colin's treatment we were informed about Make-A-Wish NH and encouraged to apply for Colin. Make-A-Wish creates life changing wishes for kids with critical illnesses. May 2024, at their annual Breakfast for Wishes event, Colins wish for a swimming pool was granted! We had the most amazing summer making some amazing memories and will continue to make new memories every single year.
Today Colin is a thriving 5 year old boy who lives and plays fearlessly. At The Cure Cafe, we are on a mission to help other families rocked by a childhood cancer diagnosis. By helping to fund cancer research and bringing joy through the Make-A-Wish foundation. Help us change lives!
