A rare brain tumor took her son’s life. This Kentucky mom is still fighting for a cure.

By: Sarah Ladd

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: May 18, 2026

Words: 2,123

Last Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago

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Shannon Ritchie doesn’t remember the exact day she heard her son, Colton, speak for the last time.

The brain tumor took everything: His ability to walk, to swallow, to talk. Eventually, it took his life.

Colton Ritchie was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in 2016 at age five and lived 16 months before passing away on Valentine’s Day.

“I look back at videos and stuff that we took,” said …

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