Medford boy battles kidney cancer

For years, Mike Smith has been serving the public as a sheriff’s deputy and most recently as a sergeant with Steele County. Now, he and his family are hoping the community will serve them as they battle a life changing diagnosis.

Mike and Rachel Smith’s 4-year-old son, Colton, was diagnosed in April with bilateral Wilm’s tumors, which is a childhood kidney cancer. Colton is currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and radiation.

For Rachel, this is not her first time dealing with childhood cancer. She lost her first son, Dravin, to a form of brain cancer 17 years ago. But she knew that with his diagnosis. Colton’s cancer, on the other hand, is different.

“The greatest thing is this cancer is highly treatable and curable,” said Rachel Smith. “We are positive the outcome for him will be favorable, but the road will be a little rough.”

On April 16, the Smiths took Colton to the hospital in Faribault for what they thought was a ruptured appendix. They quickly found out he had a mass on each kidney and that one of them had ruptured. He was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.

“When I heard the words, ‘we found two masses’ my heart sank,” Rachel said. “My only experience with childhood cancer was doom and gloom from the start. Never a glimmer of hope, only the word, ‘enjoy the time you have.’”

Colton appears to be on his way to kicking the cancer. “For now, we continue to hope and pray his journey continues to be positive and we continue to have clear scans,” Rachel said.

Over the past several months, the family says Colton has been his spicy self and says “Oh shit” every time a member of the medical team walks in.

Colton celebrated his fourth birthday on July 8. Despite his setback, Kara Smith, who is Mike’s sister and organizer of a benefit for the family, said the little boy’s spirits continue to be positive. “He is a fighter,” she said. “He is trying to be a kid as long as he can.”

Caring and serving have long been staples for the Smith family. Besides serving on the sheriff’s office, Mike is a volunteer firefighter in Medford. He also has worked part-time with North Ambulance in Faribault. Rachel is a nurse with St. Croix Hospice.

The benefit will take place on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. at the Owatonna VFW, 135 Oakdale St. A pulled pork dinner will be served for $10. In addition, there will be games for the kids, raffle items and a silent auction. Organizers will also be selling t-shirts.

All the money raised at the benefit will go towards Colton’s medical expenses. The family makes weekly trips to the Twin Cities for his medical care. The family has been forced to take Colton out of daycare and is being cared for by “family members and anybody that can,” Kara said.

For those who can’t make the benefit, there is also a fund set up for Colton at the Medford branch of First State Bank Red Wing.

“It’s a great family to support,” Kara said. “They are a very kind and loving family,” she said, adding if nothing more, the family appreciates prayers and well wishes.

“We are so gracious and happy with the community,” said Kara. “We are amazed at the outpouring of support we have received. We would like to thank everyone who has reached out in any way.”

A golf tournament will also take place on Sept. 28 at Legacy in Faribault.