Hockey Fights Cancer Bios Starting Line Ups
Ahead of puck drop between the Avalanche and Hurricanes, the Avalanche are honoring six UCHealth cancer warriors
Ahead of puck drop between the Avalanche and Hurricanes, the Avalanche are honoring six (6) UCHealth cancer warriors for a pre-game Starting Line-Up feature where those six individuals will skate on ice and be recognized.
See below for bios on the six (6) UCHealth cancer warriors:
Cancer Warrior #1 Name: Gerald Murphy (M)
UCHealth Region: Northern Region
Age: 62
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Current city: Sidney, NE
Diagnosis:Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Treatment story:Gerald Murphy was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2015. Originally, he was life-flighted in from Nebraska and has had to have 5 bypasses and 2 arteries drilled out because of heart issues. During these issues, doctors identified and diagnosed the Leukemia. Doctors did not think Gerald had a chance or was healthy enough to begin treatment of any kind, so he transferred to a UCHealth hospital where they began a new infusion protocol, where UCHealth found grant money to fund this new protocol for Gerald. Gerald is now in close to complete remission, living with his partner Jackie, and his stepdaughter and 3-year-old grandson. Gerald is a big hockey and Colorado Avalanche fan but has never been to a game before!
Hockey & Personal background:Gerald grew up in Duluth and has played hockey all his life, starting at 5 years old. He played hockey at Cornell University and later played semi-professional hockey for the Minnesota Junior Stars. At Cornell, he won outstanding freshman of the year, even at the size of 5'8". You may remember names like Phil Verchota or Rob McClanahan from the Miracle on Ice 1980 Olympic Hockey team - yes, Gerald competed against them frequently during his prime years.
Cancer Warrior #2 Name: Jessi Witt (F)
UCHealth Region:Northern Region
Age: 44
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
Current city: Fort Collins, CO
Diagnosis: Brain Cancer
Treatment story:Back in April this year, Jessi was diagnosed with a brain glioma - the primary form of a brain tumor. She made her way up to the main UCHealth campus in Aurora and got the tumor removed by the Chair of Neurosurgery, Dr. Kevin Lillehei. The treatment went so well that Jessi was given the choice to not pursue additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Jessi continues to get MRIs so that treatment can be started immediately if the cancer reappears. Jessi is doing great and is back to teaching Psychology at Colorado State University and back to playing hockey and soccer.
Hockey & Personal background:Jessi began playing hockey at age 40 and enjoys playing hockey with her husband and two kids. Before hockey, she competed in Ultimate Frisbee for Team USA in World Games in 2005. Before that, she played soccer at Smith College in Massachusetts before receiving her PhD at University of Virginia. She is now a Psychology Professor at Colorado State, having recently turned her research focus to helping people understand big decisions through varying visual aids, to help them decide on things like a cancer diagnosis or treatment, something she very recently experienced herself. Jessi is a huge Avalanche fan and last attended the 2022 Western Conference Finals against Edmonton to celebrate her 10th anniversary.
Cancer Warrior #3 Name: Bob Hunt (M)
UCHealth Region:Southern Region
Age: 80
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Current city: Colorado Springs, CO
Diagnosis:Duodenal Gastric Cancer
Treatment story: In 2017, Bob was diagnosed with Gastric Duodenal Cancer, and was given a slim chance at life. However, Bob was entered into a clinical trial, that only 1% of patients qualified for - Bob insists that this clinical trial saved his life, as he is back to competing in and training for triathlons, 100-mile bike races, and skiing whenever he gets a chance.
Hockey & Personal background: Bob is a veteran hockey referee with 22 years of reffing experience. He has 5 grown sons and 7 grandchildren. He learned to snowboard when he was 73 and heads up to the mountains every winter. His motto is "Make the most out of every day because you never know how many days you have. Life is good." Through all the ups and downs of his diagnosis and treatment, he has maintained a positive attitude and stayed as active as possible.
Cancer Warrior #4 Name: Colby Hockersmith (M)
UCHealth Region:Denver Metro Region (Anschutz)
Age: 33
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Current city: Silverthorne, CO
Diagnosis:Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with an HAI pump placed
Treatment story:Colby was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer, and within 2 months had surgery to remove the cancer. He's still fighting through a few spots on his glands and lungs. Colby lives in the mountains in Silverthorne but comes to visit Dr. Lieu and Dr. Gleissner at Anschutz for his treatment.
Hockey & Personal background: Colby grew up in Florida on roller skates first, and since moving to Silverthorne in 2007, has become comfortable on skates. He of course snowboards every chance he gets but loves nature and the outdoors in general - anything from kayaking, rafting, walking mountain trails or going camping with his wife and 3-year-old son. Colby works for High Country Healing and has used his cancer experience to develop a CBD Oil treatment program to help other cancer patients like himself.
Cancer Warrior #5 Name: Teri Frerichs (F)
UCHealth Region:Northern Region
Age: 54
Hometown: Wray, CO
Current city: Windsor, CO
Diagnosis:Melanoma
Treatment story: Late in 2012, Teri's skin cancer was diagnosed very early (stage 1A). This was prompted by community promotions and job knowledge about the signs and symptoms of skin cancer - and a promise to her mom. Back in 2012, if this type of cancer was not caught early it was incredibly difficult to remove, treat and cure. She caught it so early that her only treatment was surgery in the dermatology clinic. Her dermatologist is now part of a dermatology group that partners with UCHealth Oncology and the Aspen Club in Northern Colorado. They partner to hold large, free skin cancer screenings, which has been done annually for 20 years. Teri is now 10 years cancer free and is a nurse at UCHealth in northern Colorado.
Hockey & Personal background: Teri grew up skating on ice ponds from a natural spring in Wray, Colorado, and idolized figure skater Dorothy Hamill - even having the same hairstyle. That started her love for the skating world, which later transferred to hockey when the Avalanche came to Colorado in 1995. She loves talking hockey with family, co-workers, and patients. Although it has been some time since Teri has been to an Avs game - she enjoys going to Colorado Eagles games, an affiliate of the Avalanche.
Cancer Warrior #6 Name: Sarah Karr (F)
UCHealth Region:Denver Metro Region (Anschutz)
Age: 47
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Current city: Parker, CO
Diagnosis:Pancreatic Cancer, Stage 4
Treatment story: Eight months ago, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and is fighting for her life. If I were you, I wouldn't want to be Sarah's tumor - when asked what inspires her every day, she said, "I just want to win. I want to beat this thing. It's not gonna get me - no way." Sarah was brought to us by the DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation, which is committed to supporting the hockey family by accessing the unique power and compassion of the hockey community -- celebrating life and providing help in times of need.
Hockey & Personal background: Sarah grew up playing hockey in Michigan, where she was born, and eventually made her way to Colorado, graduating from Boulder High School in 1993. She then moved to Denver and was on hand to witness the first Avalanche Stanley Cup in 1996. Sarah is a part-time season ticket holder for the Avalanche and attends several games per year. She lives with her fiancé and puppies Dally (pit-boxer mix) and Dill.
