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DENVER -- A life-shattering event for a Virginia family while on vacation turned their lives around as they had to stay in Colorado when their 16-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. With nowhere to say and no way to get around, the family reached out to Contact7 for help.
But ultimately, it was the help from Coloradans who donated to Contact7 Gives to help a family in need, and Denver7 was there as the family moved into a new home, where they will stay for at least the next month while their son Marshall recovers.
MORE: Donate to the Thomas family and the Contact7 Gives Fund
"It's amazing. It's going to be absolutely perfect for our family," said Melissa Thomas. "We were starting to worry about what we were going to do. Then you guys pulled through with this," her husband, Nick, told Contact7.
Last week, the family of eight was returning home from vacation and made a connecting stop in Denver. After landing, their 16-year-old son Marshall became so sick, he was taken to Children's Hospital. He was diagnosed with leukemia. After the story ran, Contact7 viewers helped pay for a rental car and a house for the family.
"It was really, really important as a mom that we wouldn't have to send anybody home without us," said Melissa. "It's amazing, just amazing."
Carrie Holder and her husband bought a home just to house families with loved ones battling life threatening illnesses. She saw our original story and called her husband.
"This is exactly why we're doing what we're doing. We need to help this family. Can we have this done by this weekend? So here we are," said Holder.
After we connected with Holder, the Thomas family had their home.
As a housewarming gift, Contact7 also provided passes for the family to Elitch Gardens, along with tickets for both the Rapids and Rockies. The Rockies also added a swag bag.
"This is amazing. Oh my gosh," said Melissa Thomas.
Marshall still has several more weeks of treatment. His parents say that during this tough time, thanks to Denver7 ,Colorado feels like home.
"There's so much sadness and hurt in the world. For people to just jump in, for people they don't even know...it's really overwhelming. It just makes me feel good about people," said Melissa.
"It's a very humbling experience, during this time where things aren't going so great, all these people have helped us out. It's just wonderful," said Nick.
There's no place like home. And because of countless Coloradans moved by the story of a young man fighting for his life, an appreciative family knows their new home is some place special.
"Just thank you," said Nick. "We are so blessed. Thank you so much for everything."
Nick and Melissa tell Contact7 their son has a long road ahead but is getting stronger every day.
They say they want to thank Denver7 viewers — and everyone here in Colorado — for stepping up to the plate and making them feel so loved.
Denver7 has created an easy way for people to help others in our community. We have featured the stories of people who need help and now you help them with a cash donation through the Contact7 Gives Fund. One hundred percent of contributions to the fund will be used to help people in our local community.
