Donate to Support Riki’s Healing Journey, organized by Beth Mallon

Product Description

We first met Riki 18 years ago when she worked in the Athletic Department at Santa Fe Christian High School. She was just 24 years old—a bright, energetic athletic trainer with a zest for life that was truly contagious. Her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and playful sense of humor lit up every room and brought joy to student-athletes, coaches, and staff alike. During that time Riki was quietly fighting a courageous battle—undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer while simultaneously pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy. She faced every challenge with strength, grace, and determination. And she overcame it. Riki went on to graduate from PT school, marry the love of her life, Derek, and together they built a beautiful life. They now have four precious daughters: Mia (8), Maisie (6), and their twin girls, Kinsley and Kaslyn (2½). After relocating from San Diego to Seattle, the family eventually settled in Arizona, ready for their next chapter. After giving birth to the twins, Riki bounced back quickly—at least on the surface. Carrying twins is no small feat, and when she began experiencing pelvic discomfort, doctors initially believed it to be pregnancy-related instability. She sought out care from specialists, and for a time, the treatments seemed to help. But as the months passed, her symptoms worsened— developing intense nerve pain in her leg, limiting her ability to walk. More advanced imaging revealed something no one was prepared for: a compression fracture in her L4 vertebra, without any known trauma. Further MRIs showed lesions growing around her spine. The cancer had returned—this time metastasized to the bones and multiple regions of her body. In urgent need of spinal fusion surgery, Riki bravely underwent two operations to stabilize her spine from L1 to L5. Despite the seriousness of her condition, her humor remained intact—she joked with her surgeon about not being able to do “cat-cow” yoga poses following the fusion. That’s Riki—strong, funny, and full of light even in the darkest moments. Now, Riki is once again undergoing chemotherapy and naturopathic treatments in her fight against metastatic breast cancer. Her goal remains clear: to heal, to thrive, and most importantly, to be present for her sweet girls, who are her everything, to be able to watch them grow-up and give them the love and energy that only their Mama can. Complications from the surgery, including blood clots and ongoing lymphedema in her arm, as well as side effects from her treatment, have prevented her from returning to work. As you can imagine, this has placed a tremendous emotional and financial strain on her and her family, especially the need for financial support to help cover medical bills and ongoing treatments. We are holding tightly to faith, prayer, and the power of community. We believe in healing, in miracles, and in the incredible strength of Riki’s spirit. If you feel led to support Riki and her family—whether through a donation, a message of encouragement, or simply lifting them up in prayer—please know it is deeply appreciated. Every gesture, big or small, makes a difference and lightens the load on this long road ahead. Thank you for coming alongside us on this journey. Your love, your support, and your prayers mean the world to Riki and her precious family. With love and gratitude, Linda Conn Armento and Beth Mallon

Donate to Support Riki's Healing Journey, organized by Beth Mallon

Donate to Support Riki's Healing Journey, organized by Beth Mallon

Price Valid Until: 1970-01-01