Kickin' Concrete
For Cancer

My name is Courtney Thompson and I have three kids; Tiearra who is a senior this year, Corbin who is a freshman, and Tapanga who is in 5th grade. They all attend Norfolk Public Schools. I also have a step daughter Caydence who is a senior at Elkhorn Valley in Tilden. I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was five years old, found during my kindergarten shots. I was treated at UNMC for the leukemia and became a survivor in 2001. I grew up in a family of all boys I have three brothers, Travis, Kalin, and Kyle. We grew up being raised by our mom Brenda, and my grandparents were always right there as well.

Growing up I spent a lot of time at the Norfolk High School watching my brother Travis wrestle since a young age. I would go watch them practice and learn the moves, but could not participate with me having a port, but since then I fell in love with the sport of wrestling. My younger brothers also wrestled, and I also took stats throughout school. Becoming a mom was truly my greatest blessing! As my children started growing up they also started wrestling Tiearra has been wrestling for eleven years, Corbin twelve years, and Tapanga almost eight years. They literally grew up on the mats.

In 2021 I fell in love with my fiancé, Colby. Although we have known each other since we were little, love happened later on down the road. We were supposed to get married November 16, 2024, but we decided to put on hold due to my diagnosis. In April of 2024 I found a lump in my breast and it was very painful. It kept getting bigger and I was scheduled for a monogram and breast biopsy. Initially they thought it was just an abscess, but then I got a phone call from my doctor and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on May 9, 2024. It was two days before Mother's Day. Since then, I have had chemotherapy therapy and on November, 14th a bilateral mastectomy to remove both breasts. Now I am recovering from surgery and will have radiation treatments soon. About six months later I will be able to have reconstructive surgery. It's been a long journey and will continue to be. I am so grateful to have a huge support group beside me, and to help me stay positive throughout my journey.

#Strong is the only way. - Courtney

On October 15, 2023, Kinsley’s journey began when what seemed like growing pains and a fever quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. On Monday night, October 16, 2023, her family received the life-changing news that Kinsley had leukemia.

Thankfully, it was the most common type of childhood leukemia and was treatable. She had a port placed the very next day and bravely began chemotherapy. Through months of treatments, hospital stays, pancreatitis, and COVID, Kinsley never lost her spunky spirit, proudly rocking her mohawk—and later her bald head—as she inspired everyone around her with her strength and resilience.

She has since been able to ring the bell, is now in remission, and is living her childhood to the fullest, enjoying the adventures, laughter, and special moments every child deserves. 💛

“I’m Tough,” a motto Orin Brabec has lived by his entire life. On August 22, 2023, his motto was tested after he was diagnosed with cancer. Before August, Orin was in and out of the hospital for stomach pain and low heart rate. Each doctor could not figure out what was wrong. At the beginning of August, Orin was hospitalized and had to have surgery to remove a tumor. The surgery was successful but later revealed that it was cancerous.

After being diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma, he immediately started scans. His oncologist said that this type of cancer is very aggressive but curable. He has been doing treatments every three weeks. His second PET scan revealed no signs of cancer! He is set to finish his final treatment in early January and hopefully be declared cancer-free.

His family and friends are extremely proud of his positivity throughout this process. He continues to be strong in his faith in Jesus and shows us his willingness to fight. We ask that you continue to pray for Orin and live by his strong motto. You never know how strong you have to be until cancer shakes your life.

KEEP FIGHTING and BEING TOUGH!