Marcus' Fight

 

Our nephew, Marcus Thurm, was living the life of a normal 13 year old…routinely attended school and church, enjoyed playing video games and intramural sports, and loved to mess around with his friends and his two younger brothers.  He is a well-rounded teenager—witty, smart, and kind-hearted.

Over the last 7 months, Marcus began suffering from, what we thought, were recurring ankle sprains with resultant right ankle pain.  However, his most recent ankle injury in June, presented differently from his other injuries.  Marcus' parents followed up with an MRI of his right foot which was highly suggestive of a tumor in his right heel.  Over the course of several weeks and many more diagnostic tests, including biopsies, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma (primary source in right heel) that had metastasized into his lungs.

This aggressive bone cancer occurs in only 2-3 people per one million, usually between the ages of 10-20 years old with only 200-250 cases per year.  Metastasis occurs in about 25% of all Ewing’s cases.

Marcus will undergo 6 cycles of inpatient chemotherapy (a 2-day cycle and a 5-day cycle) over the course of approximately 12 weeks beginning August 7th.  Then surgery of the right foot will occur, followed by another 6 cycles of chemotherapy.  Finally, Marcus will have radiation to the lungs.

Marcus has a long fight ahead and we are prepared to fight side-by-side with him.  It is said that the Ewing’s patient and their family give up a year of their life with the hope of getting the rest of them back.  

The family is fortunate to have good health insurance and is not under current financial strain. Still, many family and friends from near and far have offered and asked how they can support and have encouraged us to set this page up as an outlet for support.

Your support is greatly appreciated!  Any funds not utilitzed will be donated to sarcoma research.