The Fitzgibbons Family - 2026 Paddle Raise
Donate in honor of Colin, Jess, and the Fitzgibbons family.
This year's paddle raise will directly support innovative cancer research right here in Texas; work that could lead to better detection, better treatment, and ultimately, more lives saved, honoring Colin's legacy in a meaningful, lasting way. We invite you to give in honor of Colin, in support of his wife Jessica and his sons Patrick, Conor and Declan, and in hope for all those who are still fighting.
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Every gift is an investment in a future where fewer families face the pain of cancer and more stories like Colin's are defined not by loss, but by survival.
In honor of National Cancer Research Month, we would like to take a moment to share the heartfelt story of the Fitzgibbons family.
What began as a routine appointment would change everything. Because of Jess Fitzgibbons’s family history of colon cancer, she encouraged her husband Colin to schedule a colonoscopy, simply as a precaution. They expected it to be uneventful. Instead, it led to a diagnosis that would alter the course of their lives forever. Colin Fitzgibbons lost his life to colon cancer on November 21, 2025. He was just 46 years old.
Colin was many things: a devoted husband, a proud father of three boys, a respected leader, a loyal friend, and “Coach Colin” to many young athletes. But above all, he was someone who quietly, consistently put others before himself. Even in the face of cancer, Colin remained what he had always been, humble, kind, and fully devoted to his family.
He lived by simple but powerful principles: Listen. Be a good sport. Have fun. And perhaps most importantly, “control what you can control.” Those values guided his life, and they guided him through his illness with remarkable grace.
Colin’s story has already saved lives. His willingness to share his experience encouraged others to get screened, to take action, to “control what they can control.” But his family has asked an even greater question: What if his story could help prevent another family from experiencing this loss? That is what makes the 2026 Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball paddle raise so important.
This year’s paddle raise will directly support innovative cancer research right here in Texas; work that could lead to better detection, better treatment, and ultimately, more lives saved, honoring Colin’s legacy in a meaningful, lasting way. Colin never sought recognition. He believed in doing the right thing simply because it’s right. You have the opportunity to do exactly that. We invite you to give generously, in honor of Colin, in support of his wife Jessica and his sons Patrick, Conor and Declan, and in hope for all those who are still fighting.
Every gift is an investment in a future where fewer families face the pain of cancer and more stories like Colin’s are defined not by loss, but by survival.
