Riley Behrens has been an agent in the Palm Springs Market Center since March 2023. He’s a single dad to an adopted daughter (age 15) and is currently fostering his daughter’s biological sister (age 9).
In late 2023, at 27 years old, Riley was diagnosed with leukemia. Following this life-altering diagnosis, he underwent six months of chemotherapy and hoped the worst was behind him. However, since then, his health has become a rollercoaster of new and challenging diagnoses.
A New Medical Condition
In mid-2024 Riley was diagnosed with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an autoimmune condition that causes dangerously low platelet counts. This condition, unrelated to the leukemia, has caused his health to decline rapidly. On October 12, 2024, his platelet count dropped to 3,000 (normal is 150,000 to 450,000) and he was rushed to the hospital where he received life-saving treatments including transfusions, IV immunoglobulin (IVIG), and steroid injections.
More Heartbreak
As if the current health challenges weren’t enough, four days later Riley’s home caught fire due to an electrical issue in the garage. While his family escaped unharmed, they lost almost everything.
“Despite everything, my daughters have shown incredible resilience. They’ve had to watch me struggle, unable to explain why their dad is so sick or why our home is gone. I do my best to be strong for them, but navigating the responsibilities of parenting while enduring serious illness has been an immense challenge.” -Riley
In a final devastating turn of events, two weeks after the fire, Riley lost his health insurance after being laid off from his second job. He applied for COBRA so he could continue his treatment, but the premiums cost $1600 a month. He had to stop medical treatment until he had the funds to pay for health insurance.
The Current Situation
After months without proper treatment, Riley’s healthcare needs are extensive and urgent. His real estate business has been put on hold as he focuses on his survival. His colleagues have stepped up to help his clients and his family has helped financially, but his inability to work consistently, plus having to replace necessities lost when the house burned, has created an immense financial strain on Riley and his daughters.
KW Cares has been able to provide funds to ensure that Riley is able to get back on his feet. We hope that Riley’s health will stabilize and he can become a candidate for a stem cell transplant so his daughters will no longer have to worry about their dad.
How You Help through KW Cares
At KW Cares, we make sure that families struggling with a cancer diagnosis and other hardships are taken care of – it’s all part of the Keller Williams culture of caring.
Your gifts to KW Cares can help associates like Riley and their families recover from catastrophic hardships. Please donate today!