Fundraiser for Riley Richter & Micheal Repp’s recovery
Salt Lake City’s LGBTQ+ community is being called on to support two familiar faces, Riley Richter and Micheal Repp, who are facing extraordinary health challenges and financial strain. The couple was long a part of The Sun-Trapp, and then Club Verse.
In August 2024, Riley suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, a medical emergency that few survive. After weeks in the hospital, he began a long recovery, steadily regaining strength. They moved to Colorado to a facility that specializes in such recoveries.
As Riley was reclaiming his life, tragedy struck again. In May 2025, Micheal was diagnosed with Stage III Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a form of skin cancer that can spread aggressively to lymph nodes and other organs if not treated promptly. He has completed 36 of 42 rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.
The couple has returned to Salt Lake City from Colorado so Micheal can continue treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute, the region’s only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Huntsman offers access to advanced, research-driven therapies, giving him the best chance at recovery.
These back-to-back health crises have left Riley and Micheal’s lives turned upside down. Between Riley’s recovery and Micheal’s treatment, they have been unable to work consistently and have relied on savings, selling possessions, and cutting back to make ends meet. Now, with resources nearly gone, they urgently need help covering two months of basic living expenses such as mortgage, utilities, and groceries so Micheal can finish treatment and Riley can continue healing.
Close friend Emily Walker launched Love & Strength: Supporting Riley & Micheal’s Recovery, a GoFundMe fundraiser aimed at keeping the couple stable during this critical period.
“Riley and Micheal have shown incredible strength through challenges that would overwhelm most of us,” Walker said. “Now it’s our turn to show up for them, with love, support, and tangible help.”
Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/RileyMicheal
