NILES — Last year, when Colleen (Sater) Barkman, 35, of Niles, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, doctors said the mother of six likely had two years left to live.

“Age 35 and given two years to live is not something I can agree to,” Barkman said. “My kids are my world and I will not give up.”

Barkman and her mother, Nanette Stuglik, have remained hopeful that a medical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas could provide the answers for her treatment, but the family needs some help from the community to get there.

To help raise funds, First Baptist Church will be hosting a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast Benefit from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the church located at 1446 E. Main St. in Niles. In addition to getting their fill of breakfast, those who attend can participate in a silent auction to win items donated by several local businesses. The cost to attend is $7 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 10.

Stuglik has said that because the trial is out of state, Barkman’s insurance is not covering the cost, so proceeds from the breakfast will help to fund the medical trial and cost to get there.

Stuglik said they hope to raise at least $5,000 from the breakfast. A You Caring fund has also been started for Barkman and can be accessed by visiting: youcaring.com/colleenjasonbarkman-991541.

Barkman wrote in her You Caring post that she is hoping to use the funds raised on the site to cover the cost of immunotherapy — a treatment in which the body’s own immune system is supposed to be used to fight the cancer.

Barkman is a graduate of Western Michigan University. Before she became too sick to work, Barkman worked for Brandywine Elementary School as a Title One teacher. Prior to that she was a case manager for Keys Counseling in South Bend. Barkman was 31 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed July 8, 2017, with a signet cell cancer, which is both rare and aggressive.

Barkman’s baby was removed via C-section. Following her daughter’s birth, Barkman underwent extensive surgery to remove several of her organs where the cancer had spread. About three weeks following the surgery, she started treatment with chemotherapy.

About a month ago, doctors saw that the cancer had spread to her lung and peritoneum. Her doctors recommended that she visit MD Anderson in Texas, where she could potentially be approved for a medical trial.

Since becoming ill, Barkman said her primary focus has been making memories with her children.

“We don’t know exactly how long I have with them as every day brings new challenges,” Barkman wrote in a post on You Caring. “I’m now unable to work and trying to focus on treatment and spending as much time with my children as possible, creating memories they will remember.”

With March being colon cancer awareness month, Barkman reminded people of the importance of getting checked for the illness.

As for the upcoming event, Stuglik encouraged the community to come together and support her family in their time of need.

“She wants to be able to see her kids,” Stuglik said.