Mark's Fight

This is the sort of news you hate to hear.

My cousin Mark Benson was just diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia. He was urgently taken to LDS hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah to commence a clinical trial protocol to fight this type of leukemia. The cancer he has requires an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, a prolonged hospital stay and in his case, a bone marrow transplant in order to increase the possibility of remission and hopefully a cure. His family is temporarily relocating from Las Vegas to Salt Lake so he can undergo this extensive (between 12-24 months) and very expensive treatment.

His brothers and sisters have begun a blog to provide updates on Mark's progress. In an open letter on the blog, they write:

"We are writing this letter as siblings of Mark to let his friends and extended family know of his challenge and to invite any support including faith and prayers you would be inclined to render in his behalf. Several of you have inquired about the possibility of contributing financially towards the substantial costs that he and Michelle will incur regarding his long-term treatments and absence from work. To facilitate such kindness, a Benefit Donation Fund account for Mark has been established at Wells Fargo Bank. The account is titled the Mark Benson Benefit Donation Fund. Donations to that account can be made at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank, or donations can be mailed in a check payable to the “Mark Benson Benefit Donation Fund” to Wells Fargo Bank, 144 W. Brigham Rd., Ste B, St George, Utah 84790."

I wanted to do my part to let people know of Mark's situation, and to also let Mark know that our prayers and faith are with him and his family.