Lawrence County Veteran Battles Stage 4 Cancer with Support from her Community

Kelsey Collard has spent her life serving others—on the battlefield and in her community. The 34-year-old Army veteran, who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Kuwait, now faces her toughest fight yet: stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

This powerful video shares Kelsey’s journey—from enlisting in the Army National Guard at just 17 to becoming a beloved mentor, coach, and advocate for children in her hometown. Despite her diagnosis, she continues to inspire those around her with unwavering strength and resilience.

With support from her wife, Jessica Cazee, and the Oolitic, Indiana community, Kelsey’s story is one of perseverance, love, and the power of coming together in times of need. On March 22, friends, family, and neighbors gathered for A Veteran’s Fight #KelseyStrong—a fundraiser to support her medical journey and show just how much she is loved.

🔹 Join the fight and show your support for Kelsey. Share this video and help spread awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

✂️ Edited, Produed & Reported by: Jack Bassett with IU NewsNet

💬 Leave a comment with your messages of support for Kelsey and her family. Every word of encouragement matters.

#KelseyStrong #VeteransFight #BreastCancerAwareness #ArmyVeteran #SupportOurHeroes #MentalHealthMatters