A crowdfunding has been set up for the sick Collin Koops from Barger-Compascuum. The eighteen-year-old Collin has been battling acute leukemia for several weeks. For that reason, his parents do not want to leave his side for a moment. To stay close to the UMCG in Groningen as a parent, Marja Rouwenhorst has set up a crowdfunding campaign. And with success, within a few weeks more than fifteen thousand euros has already been raised.
The stay of the parents in the Ronald McDonald house is not free of charge. For that reason, Rouwenhorst comes to the rescue and the Koops family is extremely grateful for that. “It is great that so many people are willing to donate. It is incredible and heartwarming that more than fifteen thousand euros have already been raised,” says father Marco Koops.
Koops: “Fortunately, my wife can sleep with him. Normally this is not possible because of his age, but Collin has been through a lot in the past, so they make an exception for him.” At a younger age, Collin lost his sister to the effects of a brain tumor.
Unthinkable scenario
“Almost nine years ago, our daughter Joëlle had a two-year illness. She passed away at the age of 10. My wife, Collin and I are still processing this process and then this happens,” continues Koops. “My wife and I looked at each other and said, Not again, eh? Especially with what we’ve been through.” According to the father, the entire film is replayed.
Who is Colin?
Collin is generally a quiet guy. “He is especially open to others.” At the Drenthe College in Emmen he is following the Software Developer training. “He is crazy about computers and football. Especially since the promotion of FC Emmen,” says his father.
Joëlle’s Helping Hand Foundation
After the loss of Joëlle, the family established the Joëlle’s Helping Hand foundation in memory of Joëlle. “This foundation offers financial help to parents with a son or daughter in the children’s IC in Groningen. It is not possible to stay as a parent in this department,” says Koops.
In order to be close by, the foundation reimburses costs such as staying in the Ronald McDonald House or the adjacent hotel and costs such as parking fees, meals and petrol. According to Rouwenhorst, now is the time to be provided with this help yourself.
‘It is treatable’
Although Collin has been struggling with both mental and health problems since the end of last year, the family did not expect the worst. Until at a certain point he stopped eating and no longer wanted to see the doctor. “Once in the evening he was sitting on the couch, he had an epileptic seizure. In response to this, we immediately called the ambulance.” Collin was extensively examined in the Scheper hospital in Emmen and it turned out that there is anemia.
“His blood looked very bad and that same evening he was admitted to the UMCG in Groningen.” According to his father, he is now undergoing treatment there. “The very next day, almost two weeks ago, they started a seven-day course of chemotherapy. Research has shown that he has a ‘favorable’ form of leukemia. It is therefore treatable.”