Back in September Abbie Colie was looking through some old photos, remembering her dad, Justin, who died from Huntington’s Disease in 2021.
In one of the photos of her parents, her attention was drawn to a necklace of small shells worn by her dad. She wondered if her mom still had the necklace. After searching, she found it. With permission from her mom, Kristie, Abbie began wearing it. But after awhile Abbie wondered why she couldn’t get the necklace to lay correctly around her neck.
“I noticed it was getting pulled in one direction,” she said. “And that’s when we noticed the lump.”
On Christmas Eve, she had an ultrasound done. “The day after Christmas they sent us back for X-rays and that night the doctors said ‘you need to get to Pittsburgh immediately.’ By 11 p.m. that night, they told us it was cancer,” said Kristie as she choked back tears at the memory.
The Titusville three-sport athlete was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which are a part of the body’s immune system.
In one of the photos of her parents, her attention was drawn to a necklace of small shells worn by her dad. She wondered if her mom still had the necklace. After searching, she found it. With permission from her mom, Kristie, Abbie began wearing it. But after awhile Abbie wondered why she couldn’t get the necklace to lay correctly around her neck.
“I noticed it was getting pulled in one direction,” she said. “And that’s when we noticed the lump.”
On Christmas Eve, she had an ultrasound done. “The day after Christmas they sent us back for X-rays and that night the doctors said ‘you need to get to Pittsburgh immediately.’ By 11 p.m. that night, they told us it was cancer,” said Kristie as she choked back tears at the memory.
The Titusville three-sport athlete was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which are a part of the body’s immune system.
| The news meant her basketball season was all but over. But not being part of the team. Monday her “Support Squad,” made up of her teammates, coaches, friends and others celebrated her Senior Night. It was an earlier date than originally planned so Abbie could be honored before her treatments, which include chemotherapy and what her mom described as ‘aggressive’ immunotherapy, got too intense. Abbie is the only senior of the Lady Rockets team. Along with the traditional Senior Night activities, there was a fundraiser with baskets donated by area businesses and community members. It raised around $4,500. “I was absolutely amazed at the amount of people (who) came out last night to support her. If anyone deserves that support, it's her,” said Titusville basketball coach Sarah Weigle, who helped organize the event. Weigle also said several gas cards were given to the family to help with their trips back and forth from Pittsburgh, where Abbie’s treatments are administered. And the support extends beyond the Launch Pad, the Rocket’s gymnasium. Titusville's opponents Monday night, the Girard Yellow Jackets, also brought a basket. Oil City’s basketball team is planning a fundraiser on February 3 when the Rockets visit. Within the community, a spaghetti dinner and raffle will be held March 9 at Fat Chad’s Tap and Steakhouse. Tickets for this event can be purchased ahead of time for $10 at Fat Chads or at State Farm Insurance. Takeout options are available that night as well. The Go Fund Me begun January 10 is near its goal of $20,000 needing just $400 more dollars to get it over the line. "I think this community has been absolutely amazing," Abbie said. |     |
“They have been nothing but extraordinary. The amount of people who have reached out to make sure we’re ok and providing us with all the help they can, it’s been absolutely amazing.”
Her mom agrees. “(Abbie) has always been there for others so it is really nice when it’s her turn (to need help) how others get behind her too. It’s amazing.”
Abbie remains upbeat about her prognosis. She has six months of treatments but isn’t planning on missing out on the sports she loves or helping her teammates however she can. She is looking forward to trying out for a manager position on the softball team.
Her mom agrees. “(Abbie) has always been there for others so it is really nice when it’s her turn (to need help) how others get behind her too. It’s amazing.”
Abbie remains upbeat about her prognosis. She has six months of treatments but isn’t planning on missing out on the sports she loves or helping her teammates however she can. She is looking forward to trying out for a manager position on the softball team.
She is also looking ahead to majoring in health sciences at Duquesne University.
“This has also made me really realize that’s what I want to do is help people, especially the way they are helping me," she said.
And she will continue wearing her dad’s necklace.
“Without that necklace we wouldn’t have noticed,” Kristie said. “It was kinda like her dad is still taking care of her.”
“This has also made me really realize that’s what I want to do is help people, especially the way they are helping me," she said.
And she will continue wearing her dad’s necklace.
“Without that necklace we wouldn’t have noticed,” Kristie said. “It was kinda like her dad is still taking care of her.”
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