About Coen's Way
ABOUT COEN
My son Coen's story is an epic journey that spans triumphs on the basketball court to a courageous battle against the rare and formidable opponent, DSRCT. Starting at Sacred Heart High School, he etched his name in history, earning numerous athletic titles and leading his team to a state championship. Coen's prowess in basketball, cultivated since the age of 7, garnered him D1 scholarship offers, and he chose to pursue his passion in Florida.
The trajectory of his life took an unexpected turn in late June when he returned from visiting the school. Instead of continuing his basketball dreams, Coen found himself confined to my bed in early July. In August 2022, the devastating diagnosis of DSRCT unfolded, a cancer so obscure that few medical facilities were equipped to tackle it. MD Anderson, the renowned cancer center, initially rejected Coen, deeming the cancer too little known and the outcome uncertain.
Amid the desperate search for help, Barnes Jewish in St. Louis became our lifeline. From September to May, Coen underwent a grueling 56-week chemotherapy regimen, facing the most aggressive treatment against this equally aggressive disease. The journey was fraught with peril, with Coen teetering on the edge of survival numerous times. Even when the cancer infiltrated his brain in February, his resilience defied medical predictions.
May marked the poignant end of Coen's earthly journey, as he embraced eternal peace with God. In the wake of this profound loss, the idea of Coen's Way emerged—a non-profit endeavor inspired by the incredible support we received during those arduous 10 months. This initiative seeks to extend a helping hand to families navigating the challenges of DSRCT, aiming to empower them to fight with the same tenacity and hope that defined Coen's remarkable odyssey. May Coen's legacy live on, fostering strength and unity in the face of adversity.