Hardin Family: Helping Luke Through Retinoblastoma Treatment

Luke Hardin was 18 months old when he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer. His parents serve overseas, and the family was home in the U.S. on a 12-month sabbatical, a season set aside for rest, recharging, and reconnecting with supporters.

A sabbatical interrupted by cancer treatment

To remove all of the cancer, Luke underwent surgery to have one of his eyes removed. It was a critical first step, but not the last. Chemotherapy followed, and Luke will still need follow-up care and monitoring.

The Hardins spent most of their sabbatical in Fort Collins, close to their sending church and their friends and supporters, while Luke's treatment took place in Denver.

At the start, no one knew what all of this would cost. We were anticipating bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Jubilee Fund campaign for the Hardin family opened on November 20, 2025, with a goal of $12,000.

Two years of care, covered

Together, 24 donors gave $12,200, fully funding the $12,000 goal. Those gifts cover the family's out-of-pocket medical costs for the first two years of Luke's care: the surgery, the treatments, and the follow-up visits.

That lifted a huge burden from a family serving overseas. And because they happened to be in the States when the news came, people were able to gather around them and help.

In their own words

The Hardin Family wanted to say this to everyone who gave:

“Our son Luke fully recovered from retinoblastoma (eye cancer) after bravely enduring an enucleation surgery followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. Today, he is a very active and fearless little boy, developing healthily in every way. We have been deeply moved by the care and encouragement we received from across the globe. As others generously carried our financial burdens, we felt extra grace and strength to be able to tend to our family amidst this crisis.”

Why the Jubilee Fund exists

The Jubilee Fund exists for exactly this kind of moment: when a family who has given their lives to this work faces something no one planned for. Your gift meant this family never had to make a single financial decision in the middle of what they were carrying. That is what this is for.

As Rivergate Foundation grows, we are building a permanent infrastructure of support for Christian missionaries and church staff, one that holds steady when the unexpected comes. Your participation in this campaign is part of building something that will serve many families like this one for years to come.

Learn more about the Jubilee Fund.