Hi, my name is Ann and I am helping raise funds for my son Ben. Ben was living life and having fun as any young 23 year old should. Traveling, hanging out with friends, camping, and of cousre, enjoying his favorite hobby, racing. Unfotunately that all came to a sudden halt. Last Summer Ben started having some pain in his groin and found it uncomfortable to sit. At first we thought he just pulled a muscle. The pain got worse and he started to find it hard to go to the bathroom. Things seemed to go downhill fast from there. A trip with friends to Tennesee was cut short. He came home and saw a local Urologist who thought he may have a UTI or posssibly kidney stones. He was put on an antiobtic but after no improvement after a few days he went back. The Doctor ordered a CT. Later that day, the Urologist called Ben and said he needed him back right away for blood work. Before the day was done, I got a call from Ben that no mom never wants to get. “Mom, they think I have cancer”.  He was being sent to see an Oncologist immediatly. They got him in that same day so we knew it wasnt good. The first guess was that it was a Lymphoma. That Oncologist told us, it is 100% curable. Ben was sent for several differnt tests, inclulding CT, PET, and Ultrasound. After all the tests were done, we were called back in. Just two days after Ben's 23rd Birthday, we were given the devastating, life changing news. Ben did not have Lymphoma he has Stage 4 Rhabodomyosarcoma, a rare childhoold cancer. After having a biopsy, we found out it was the rarest, most agressive form of Rhabdomyosarcoma. Ben was referred to several hospitals for treatment. We fortunately landed at Children's of Wisconsin. Yes, too old for Children's but they treat him because his cancer is considerd a childhood cancer. He finally started treatment in August. It was a rough start to say the least. He formed blood clots and had to start getting 2 shots a day in his stomach along with a surgery and a 5 day stay in the hospital. His treatment consisited of 42 weeks of chemo, staying overnight once every three weeks. He had 6 weeks of radiation, which meant a daily drive to Froedert. Surgery to remove the tumors is not an option for Ben. Ben made it through his 42 weeks still smiling and living life to the fullest he is capable of. He never missed a beat. He followed all the rules. Never missed a treatment or an appointment. He had his PET scan to see if it worked on May 31st. The news was not what we were hoping for. Unfortunately, at some point over the past few months, his cancer stopped responding to the treatment. He now has two new tumors that grew outside of his original radiation site as well as some active cancer in the orginal site. We were crushed. We needed a few days to accept and digest the news. We are back on track now. Ben had a biopsy of the new tumor this week and we found out it is the same cancer. We are glad it is not a new cancer and this just confirmed what his team already assumed. Ben will be starting a new chemo treatment on Monday. He will get weekly chemo again for 6 weeks. Then they will do scans again to see if the cancer is responding. If it is, he will then have some more radiation. Then he will continue with another 30 weeks of chemo. Our life has taken a huge turn. Cancer is certainly a horrible thing yet Ben's cancer has brought us many gifts along the way. It has brought us closer as a family. We have taken some fun mini trips as a family. We went to the Daytona 500 and spent a few days in Orlando, camped and went to Road America with friends and went to the Morgan Wallen Concert! We have gained many new friends at Children's. Bens cancer has also given us a profound strength we never new was possible. We are grateful for all the patience, understanding and support we get from our friends, family and especially from my work family. This has been a long and difficult year for all of us but Ben keeps his beautiful smile through it all. We are blown away at his strength and positive attitude. Ben has tried to continue to work as much as he can but his body often doesn’t allow him to. We have helped him along the way and have been by his side every step, driving to every appointment, making sure he is comfortable and happy and has what he needs or wants, but at the end of the day he still has bills to pay. The expenses of driving and food, medications, and medical bills adds up in a blink. We are hoping to raise some funds to help cover some of the expenses to help keep him going, and not to have the worry at least about that part. Ben has a long road ahead. We appreciate any help you are willng to give him.