Olathe East Kids Coach Rick Sharp is battling a serious illness of pancreatitis for the last 7 months. Rick has dedicated over 30 years to coach youth wrestling, starting in the Fort Scott area and the last 20 or so years in the Olathe area. Those of you that know Rick, know his passion for coaching the kids and his love of the sport.

Since the end of July, he has probably only been out of the hospital a total of 8 weeks with the longest time out being about 3 weeks. He has been in and out of ICU, on and off dialysis, spent about 2 weeks on a ventilator and is currently in the heart care unit at KU Medical Center. He is getting better but he has a long road ahead.

Every organ has been affected by his condition. He is currently on long term disability.

We would like to reach out to the wrestling community for your help. It would mean so much for him to receive a card or phone call. If you are in the KC area and could stop in to see him that would be great.

We are looking at raising some funds to help him and his family - more info will be posted on any organized fundraisers. If you are interested in making a donation, make payable to Richard Sharp/Medical Fund.

Send Cards or donations to Rick Sharp, 13225 S Brougham Dr, Olathe KS 66062. His family will get the cards to him since he could get moved around at the hospital. We know the cards will be great medicine for him to know that his wrestling family is thinking about him.
Feel free to contact Sean McCarthy smokeycabin@hotmail.com or 913-579-1835 or Kim Huck oejrhawkwrestling@yahoo.com or 913-558-4339 if you have any questions. We will be at District 1 South Subs in Pittsburg, the District 1 Tournament at Olathe East and then at State in Topeka

Please keep Rick and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they battle this illness.