Mark's Battle with Leukemia

This is Mark. Mark and his older brothers have been dear friends of mine since I was 8 years old, and I have watched him grow up into the strong, bright, and brave young man that he is today. Unfortunately, Mark's journey through life has not been without a few roadblocks. When he was 6 years old, Mark was rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing. To everyone's surprise, it was determined that Mark had developed Leukemia and would require extensive treatment and rehabilitation that would take many years to complete. He began treatment right away but ended up having an allergic reaction to the chemo and required alternative drugs to treat the disease. After four and a half long years, Mark was finally determined to be cancer-free. But due to this lengthy treatment, Mark fell behind in school and had to be reintegrated into his studies with a simplified learning stream.  

Two weeks before Christmas, just months before he was set to graduate high school, Mark underwent a routine blood test and was told he needed to see his doctor urgently. Unfortunately, it was determined that the Leukemia had returned. This news sent shock-waves throughout our social circle as he had relapsed after more than six years of being cancer-free. On Boxing Day, Mark was admitted to the Alberta Children's Hospital where he underwent a surgical procedure to implant a port into his chest for chemotherapy administration. Chemo began immediately after and will continue for the next two-and-a-half years. If the chemotherapy does not eradicate the cancer cells, Mark will have no choice but to undergo a bone marrow transplant - a procedure that no 17-year-old should ever have to undergo.

The goal of $25,000 will offer immense help to Mark and his family. He currently lives with his mom and two older brothers, all of which work tirelessly to try and make ends meet. Mark's chemotherapy treatment is covered by provincial healthcare, however he still requires adjuvant medications that are only partially covered by Alberta Blue Cross Insurance. This outstanding portion must be paid out of pocket. Additionally, some of these medications are not covered by insurance and cost hundreds of dollars which puts an unimaginable financial burden on a family that is already doing everything they can to stay afloat. Mark will also undergo physiotherapy sessions to help him re-strengthen his muscles and bones. These sessions are also only partially covered by the family's insurance policy and will need to take place over the next several years. Funds will also help alleviate the cost of monthly parking passes at the hospital which cost $71.00 per month. Any remaining funds will be used to help pay the family's rent, bills, and car payment. Mark's mom, Mariana, has full access to the funds raised and is the only individual who will make withdrawals from the campaign account.

As a close friend of Mark and his family, I know that they cannot be more appreciative of any and all donations made towards this cause. Despite the many hardships they have suffered, I do not know of a single family with a more positive outlook on life - it truly is a thing of beauty that deserves to last for many more years to come. 

Please donate to this cause to help Mark finally beat his battle with cancer.