VANCOUVER — The city of Vancouver is inviting the community to support the second annual Korey’s Joy Drive, a toy drive in honor of Korey Cochran, a city computer support specialist diagnosed last year with a rare form of brain cancer.
The city will collect new, unwrapped toys from Nov. 16 through Dec. 11. All donations will be delivered to Randall Children’s Hospital and Open House Ministries the week of Dec 12.
“Korey is a selfless man and a committed husband and father. He worked for the city of Vancouver for more than 10 years and continues to fight this cancer alongside his wife and two young children” said Katherine Nye, IT technical services manager and Korey’s supervisor at the city of Vancouver. “Korey’s Joy Drive is the city’s way of honoring Korey. Together, with community support, we will bring a joyful and memorable Christmas to his family and so many deserving families in our community.”
On Nov. 14, 2015 — his 37th birthday — Korey heard the news no one can prepare for. The doctor told him he may have two brain tumors. The next day, a neurosurgeon went into Korey’s brain and found Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade IV, an extremely rare cancer. Despite a difficult prognosis, Korey and his family are participating in clinical trials recommended by some of the best neurosurgeons in the region.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up by Korey’s extended family to support the cost of clinical trials and other experimental treatment options. Donations can be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/koreycochran.
Those interested in contributing to Korey’s Joy Drive can bring new, unwrapped toys to any of the below locations through Dec. 11:
- Vancouver City Hall lobby: 415 W. 6th St., Vancouver
- Firstenburg Community Center front desk: 700 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver
- Marshall Community Center front desk: 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver
- Vancouver Tennis Center front desk: 5300 E. 18th St., Vancouver
- Water Resources Education Center front desk: 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver
- Vancouver Police West Precinct front desk: 2800 N.E. Stapleton Road, Vancouver
- Vancouver Police East Precinct front desk: 520 S.E. 155th Ave., Vancouver
- Vancouver Fire Station 5 front desk: 7110 N.E. 63rd St., Vancouver
- Operations Center front desk: 2323 General Anderson Road, Vancouver
- Clark County Public Service Center 5th Floor IT Department: 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver
- The Beauty Box Salon & Spa: 11215 N.E. 28th St., Suite 2, Portland
- Marquam: 811 S.W. Naito Parkway, Suite 600, Portland
Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel offers an innovative approach to children’s health care. It’s a place where complex medical and surgical care is blended with a peaceful environment to create a new world of healing and health. The Randall Children’s Hospital provides services for infants, youth and teens. Children at the hospital are treated for cancer, heart disease, and much more. Donations of toys and games will keep kids engaged and happy while undergoing treatment.
Open House Ministries is committed to equipping homeless families with the tools necessary for resolving issues that lead to poverty and homelessness. They provide a holistic, long-term approach to working with homeless families to meet their physical, mental and spiritual needs to break the cycle of homelessness. Donations will help brighten the holidays of homeless youths and teens.
