COLUMBUS -- A fundraiser is set for a young couple who are facing emotional, financial, and physical turmoil.

"I call her my strong little cookie because I've never met anybody so strong," said Megan Kuehler's mother-in-law, Marcia Kuehler. Marcia Kuehler and her husband Donovan Kuehler are throwing a free concert at The Eagle's Club of Columbus, May 1st at 1 p.m. for her.

Their daughter-in-law has been fighting a rare strain of cancer since 2020. She was diagnosed at age 33 with stage four colorectal cancer. She originally thought her stomach pains were from her days as an ice-skater, but found out, very late, that it was something more serious. 

"It's been hard because COVID has kept us away," said Marcia Kuehler. They've relied on phone calls and porch visits to communicate, primarily. They did meet with Megan Kuehler for their 37th wedding anniversary (Wednesday), but it was a rare occasion. 

"The holidays all were porch visits," said Donovan Kuehler. 

Megan Kuehler is an example of the increase in younger adults facing colon cancers. Between 2008 and 2017, deaths of people under age 55 from colon cancer increased 1% every year, according to the American Cancer Society. In fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force even issued new recommendations last year for people as early as 45 to be screened. 

"If there's a problem in that area, get checked," Marcia Kuehler pleaded. Her husband noted that Megan Kuehler didn't even have a history of colon cancer in her family -- ergo, it can happen to anyone. 

Their daughter-in-law is still regaining strength from her latest surgery, after having had her colon; rectum; one ovary, fallopian tubes, gall bladder, and a third of her liver removed. More spots of cancer remain, but doctors resigned to keeping her on chemotherapy for life. 

"We've just got to keep living life and enjoying the time we got," said Donovan Kuehler.

Her in-laws went to Yellowstone with her, and plan to continue supporting her with the Polka concert. The band which will perform is family of Marcia Kuehler, who said she's proud of her Polish background. There will also be food from the German American Society of Omaha, including bratwurst, buns, and sauerkraut.

The young couple is described as campers and theatre lovers. Darin Kuehler is a prop master at Omaha Community Playhouse, while Megan Kuehler does costume design. The pandemic rattled their availability to participate in the arts though. Instead, they both picked up different jobs -- Megan Kuehler started to work for Paypal while her husband joined the team at Heartland Scenic Studio in Omaha. Though, after her diagnosis, the couple is now down to one income. 

To support them, you can donate to any Pinnacle Bank in the name of Benefit for Megan Kuehler, venmo @Donovan-Kuehler,  or email [email protected]. They will come to you to pick up any items for the silent auction, too. 

You can get screened for colon cancer here. 

"I hope with this benefit they're able to help the next young lady or man with colon cancer," said Marcia Kuehler.