Gophers football: Former player Casey O’Brien has cancer relapse and asks for help – InForum

Former Gophers football player Casey O’Brien has helped many children in their battles with cancer over the past few years. Now the St. Paul native is asking for help for his people.

O’Brien, who has been battling osteosarcoma for 11 years, said Monday that he recently had a relapse in his lungs, liver and lower back.

“We have exhausted many traditional treatment options,” O’Brien wrote in social media posts. “We are moving forward with last-minute procedures, but our insurance will not cover these options.”

O’Brien’s family has started a GoFundMe to channel fundraising support. “We have a great plan, but we need your help,” he wrote.

The original goal was set at $250,000, and as of Wednesday morning, more than $300,000 had been raised and a new goal was set at $350,000. More than 2,500 donations were made in total.

“WOW!” O’Brien wrote on social media. “My family and I cannot thank you enough for all the amazing outpouring of support. We are overwhelmed by the response we have received in the last 24 hours. Our goal was to cover our anticipated expenses. We have increased our goal to allow donations for unforeseen expenses.”

O’Brien, 24, has undergone more than 40 operations and spent more than 400 nights in hospital to battle a disease that has crept in more than seven times since he was first diagnosed in 2013.

“Looking forward to being a success story soon!” O’Brien wrote on GoFundMe.

O’Brien, who had a knee replaced while attending Cretin-Derham Hall High School, said one of his proudest moments was playing Big Ten football as a kick returner for the 2019 season.

O’Brien, who worked at RBC Wealth Management, launched the Team One Four Fund in 2022 to raise $1 million to help M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. He also provided emotional support to others in the hospital and was an inspiration to others outside of it.