Mark Greason
They say that bad things happen to good people. That couldn't be more true in this case. My Uncle Mark is one of the best people I know. Mark is the type of man who will give you the shirt off his back. His capacity for love knows no bounds. He never has a bad thing to say about anyone. His infectious smile and quirky stories will brighten your day. He is a beyond a good man. He a great man. A great husband, a great father, a great friend. His unfailing faith has helped him through one of the toughest years of his life.
Mark was diagnosed with lymphoma 15 years ago but it was a slow growing lymphoma that responded to treatment and did not leave him feeling sick (even if he technically was). Last year in 2019 that changed. Mark's lymphoma morphed into an aggressive and rare type of lymphoma. He received 6 rounds of very aggressive chemotherapy that left him feeling ill and also affected his heart. Chemotherapy ended in October. After those rounds of chemotherapy he had a clear scan and was told that the cancer was gone. Through all of that Mark stayed positive. He even kept working as much as he could but inevitably had to retire early.
Unfortunately, about 1 month after the chemotherapy ended and right around Thanksgiving Mark found another mass in his leg. He had finally started feeling better. It was believed that since it was lower than the first that maybe it was a fluke and that the chemo just didn't reach that area as it should. He started radiation with the hopes that it would take care of this new area. Things were looking good and the mass was shrinking, it responded well to the radiation. Again it looked like things were looking up and 2020 would not only be a new year but one with a clean bill of health.
Again this was not the case. On Christmas Eve Mark found another mass, this time in the same spot he had found it 15 years ago. It had grown so quickly that it was not noticeable when he saw his oncologist on 12/17 and by 12/24 was already the size of a baseball. It continues to grow. So far 2020 has been a whirlwind of doctors appointments and consults. Luckily, Mark has been accepted as the 74th patient at University of Maryland to receive CAR-T cell therapy. Thus far there have been amazing responses this treatment. Until treatment starts Mark will be starting radiation again and starting a new chemo regimen. Once everything is set up he will start the CAR-T cell treatment.
There is a down side to CAR-T cell therapy. Mark will be hospitalized for at least 8-10 days to receive his treatment. Before this he will have chemotherapy and will need a caregiver with him for that. After the CAR-T cell therapy he will need someone at home with him at all times for up to 8 weeks (he won't even be allowed to drive himself anywhere) Also CAR-T cell is very costly even with insurance.
Through all of this , Mark's wife, Adrienne had her own health issues and had to take a good bit of time off.
I am asking for donations to help with the cost of all of this. Mark was not comfortable with this He is the type of man that does not want to ask for help. He would rather be helping. I am doing this anyway. Last year the out of pocket cost for all the treatments was just shy of $15,000. Mark had to retire early due to everything and is on a fixed income because of that. The out of pocket cost for the CAR-T cells alone could be upward of $15,000. Adrienne has very limited sick/vacation time left and may have to take time off without pay to care for Mark after his treatment. I would love to take some of the burden off of Mark and Adrienne. I would love to be able to give back to him like he has given to me and my family. I want him to go into treatment with as little worry as possible. I don't want him to be stressing about money at all. I want all his concentration to be on healing.
If you have it in your heart, please, please, please give to this amazing man. When I need anything at all he is there and I know that he is that person for so many other people as well. He and his wife have given so much of themselves and I am just hoping that we can give them something in return.