Monday, March 3, 2008

Dear Friends and Family of Mark Benson,

Recently Mark has become ill and been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic 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 rallying around him to help him combat this disease and deal with the challenges that lie ahead. Mark and Michelle’s loved ones are on rotation staying with Mark in the hospital, helping with the children and looking for other ways to help. We are trying to lift some of the burden Mark and Michelle are experiencing by having to relocate temporarily from their home and work in Las Vegas to the Salt Lake region for Mark’s treatment and therapy, which he has been advised will protract over at least twelve to twenty four months.

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.

Additionally, we have established this blog to offer information and updates on Mark and his condition, and give friends and family an opportunity to post a note to him, which we know he will appreciate.

We along with Mom and Dad and Mark and Michelle are greatly encouraged by the highly qualified medical team who are treating Mark, the faith and prayers we know are being offered on Mark’s behalf and the many visits and well wishes which have been extended. Thank you for remembering him.

Sincerely,
Brothers and Sisters of Mark

16 comments:

Rookie Dad said...

Mark and Michelle,

Our faith and prayers are with you. We'll certainly help any way we can.

Rich and Jaime Benson

Amy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amy said...

Mark and Michelle,

Greetings from Blackfoot, ID. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We love you!

Dave and Amy Benson

Jordan said...

Mark and Michelle,

Hello, from Eden, UT. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We would love to help in any way we can.

Steve and Jordan Sessions
(Jolynne T. Green) daughter

Christine O said...

Hi J Mark!

I am looking forward to meeting your Dad manana and getting rolling on the Golf Tourney. Actually I am updating my contact list now. Praying for you & yours.

Your job is getting well now, let others do the rest.

Peace,

CMO

Steele Fam said...

Mark & Fam,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care send the little girls our way. Much love, Jody, Rex, and family

Unknown said...

Hey Squishy Balls (sorry personal joke with CMO and J Mark)! Please know that even though I am thousands of miles away in Boston - you, Michelle and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish that there were more that I can do for you from here. Yet, remember that even though we do now know or understand why things happen; that it takes hindsight to realize things and the strength of a mustard seed to get through things ... the good Lord will NEVER leave you or foresake you through these times. Keep the faith and know that if God sees you to it; He will bring you through it! Be Blessed and get them Squish Balls back in order. Love in Christ~ Micaila

jilljohn said...

Dear Mark, I really hope you get feeling better. I really liked to play with you-so I really hope you get feeling better. from Tanner A.

jilljohn said...

Hey Mark-
We just finished the move and were amazed at all of the help that we received. It was inspiring to hear all of the people talk about the great friend you are and how you have influenced their lives for the better. It was actually very great to spend the time with Michelle-she is such an amazing person. She continues to be so strong and upbeat. You are very lucky! (I know-I am bias)
We had so much fun with Megan-the girls love her-they were thoroughly entertained the entire week. They got along so well!
Mark-our prayers or continually with you. I know that none of us really know what you are going through, but I do know that you will be supported and sustained as we all unite our faith. Hang in there and know we love you and miss you. Hopefully we can stop by this weekend sometime and say Hi! Love Jill

Anonymous said...

Jonathan Mark, what a handsome name and a handsome man. We hope you can enjoy this springtime, hopefully you can be outside for a minute or two to catch the warmth of the sun and the birds voices. We are thinking about you constantly...we are praying for you night and morning. You will get well we are confident with the mercy of God.

Love, Your Mother

Anonymous said...

Dearest Mark,
We had a RS Birthday dinner tonight in our new ward building. Around 50 ladies were present and so many asked after you. They said with surety that they know you will heal and be well. What wonderful faith of so many sweet lovely people.

Cathy Subaitani sends her love from Virginia. She called today and said she and Freddy are sending their prayers up to God and know you will be fine. They have faith too.

We all love you Mark. I know you are probably too exhausted to talk on the phone tonight...but if you open this blog, you will find the love notes and cheer from others who know you, your history and your heart. Love, MOM

Anonymous said...

Dear Jonathan Mark,

Dad is coming up tonight to be with you for a few days. We know you are tired and in pain and having challenges with all the meds you are taking at the present time. We have been concerned but we are filled with hope and know you will respond and get to the point of remission so the transplant can happen in a few weeks.

We love you and miss your laugh and positive words. Stay the course. Love, MOM and DAD

Rhonda Noble said...

Hi Mark. Keep the faith. I know you are a strong person, but don't rely on your own strength alone. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Rhonda Noble

Sahara Clinic said...

Mark and Michelle,

Hope all is well , we all miss you here at the office ... you are in our thoughts and prayers daily Look forward to seeing you again.

God Bless

Love,

Michelle, John, Deeds, Meg, Kay , Annick

Sahara Clinic said...

Hi Mark,

We are all just thinking about you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep up the fight buddy. We love you.

Michelle, John, Deeds(aka Dirty Deeds)

Liz and Tori Shields said...

I would love to get Michelle's address to send a card- I am so sorry to hear about Mark. We love your family and are thoughts and prayers are with you.
Liz Shields
liz@oldbrownjeep.net