Warrior Mark's Fight Against Cancer

My Mark was diagnosed a year ago, at age four and a half, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. His first year of treatment included over a dozen lumbar punctures (sometimes called spinal taps), blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, a bone marrow aspirate, more than twenty overnights in the hospital, repeated hair loss and regrowth, physical therapy, the insertion and removal of a PICC line, the surgical placement of a central port in his chest, multiple courses of steroids, and hundreds of doses of chemo. Treatment will last for two and a half more years, and then there will be five or six years of waiting beyond that, watching to be sure the cancer doesn't return.

I am grateful for the blessing of a talented and inspiring team of doctors and nurses at Primary Children's Hospital, for the love and care of family and friends, and for all those who have supported and encouraged Mark in his fight. While it is far from over, I am so proud of #WarriorMark for how hard he has fought. He is a brave, resilient boy and wonderful big brother to his sister, Ivory.

As we have now passed the one year anniversary of Mark's diagnosis and start of treatment, and as a newly single parent to my two kids, I have decided to create a GoFundMe account to help pay for the large and continually growing number of Mark's medical bills. Friends can donate to this fund, or send donations to the Fund For Mark Richards at the Bank of American Fork (any branch location). We love you all and are so grateful for you! Thank you!