Support Ben's Fight Against Brain Cancer

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

On March 12, 2025, Ben and his family’s lives were forever changed. What began as a headache escalated into excruciating pain leading him to seek emergency care. An MRI revealed a peach-sized tumor in his left frontal lobe. Within 48 hours, Ben was in surgery at Medical Center of the Rockies for a frontal lobe craniotomy to remove the mass.

Ben survived the surgery only to be told that the tumor was indeed malignant. The surgeon was able to remove all of the tumor but not its roots. Further test results show that Ben has a grade 4 glioneuronal tumor. Ben will begin a course of treatment that will include radiation and chemotherapy over the next year.

At just 36 years old, Ben, a devoted husband to his love Vanessa and father of four young boys, Akayden 9, Zeke 7, Loki 5, and Aksel 4, is facing the fight of his life.

How You Can Help

Ben’s fight is just beginning. As he fights for his life and health, he is unable to work as a shipping lead at a hive company. Vanessa works part-time at Knowledge Quest Academy as a night custodian to help support the family and three of the four boys attend school there. Ben’s mother, Patti Engel, is a special education teacher at KQA. Our family-like community at Knowledge Quest will do all they can to help and we hope that the larger Milliken/Johnstown community and beyond will also help relieve the financial burden so they can focus on Ben’s healing.

There will be mounting medical bills, mouths to feed and living expenses. This family needs our help. Let’s rally around Ben and his beautiful family. Any donation, big or small, will make a difference in ensuring he receives the best care possible. Ben and his family thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued prayers as they navigate this journey.

#TeamBen