Help Mark Whitaker in his Fight Against Cancer

Our friend, neighbor, and former principal of Lake Mountain Middle School and Mountain Ridge Jr. High, Mark Whitaker, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma and AL Amyloidosis, a rare disease that causes proteins to build up in his blood and attack his organs. The disease has wreaked havoc on Mark's body in a very short amount of time. He has extensive damage to his heart, leading to heart failure, and he has been hospitalized since November 20.

Mark has had 4 hospital admissions in the past three months and had an emergency ambulance transfer to the University of Utah for Amyloidosis-specific treatment, which is out-of-network for their insurance. He has been in the cardiovascular ICU at the University of Utah since Christmas Eve. He has had three rounds of chemotherapy, and then his heart underwent a cardiogenic shock that required him to be on a life support machine to support his heart and lungs for 17 days, as well as a machine that is providing continuous dialysis for kidney failure.

They have health insurance, but even with insurance, their medical bills are going to be staggering. Mark will not be able to work for the foreseeable future, and they have a special needs son that also requires round-the-clock care.

The Whitakers are the BEST family. They have given so much to our community and have asked for nothing in return. Now it is our chance to give back! If you are able, please consider donating to help ease the burden of the enormous medical bills they are facing. This is the best community, and I know we can make a difference for them! Thank you.