Support for Mark's Battle with Burkitts Lymphoma

Hello everyone!

My name is Kara Olmsted and I am a friend of Mark and Megan's here in Virginia. I wanted to share a way that we can tangibly support and love on Mark and Megan during this challenging and stressful season for their family. Mark was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts Lymphoma at the beginning of 2023. After months of treatment, his PET scan showed he was cancer free this summer. Unfortunately, a relapse followed not long after, coupled with some scary and confusing symptoms that landed Mark in the cardiac ICU last month. The team at VCU got a plan in place which now takes Mark and Megan to the National Institute of Health in Maryland for a clinical trial.

Firstly, we covet your well wishes and prayers for Mark and Megan as they walk this path in the coming months of treatment. We ask God for His healing and protection over Mark's body, to bolster their spirits, and to help them draw closer to one another for comfort. This past year has been extremely taxing on both of them in every possible way, as you can imagine. The latest relapse in October, has brought extra complications that now find them spending half of each week out of state for the clinical trial in Maryland. Although Mark is in the hospital during these trips, Megan needs a place to stay, as housing isn't always guaranteed through the National Institute of Health.

We are asking for any and all support possible to help offset the expenses of hotel accommodations, meals, gas, and tolls for Mark and Megan over the next several months. It goes without saying that the medical bills are also mounting up significantly. If there is anything we can all do to ease some of the burden that they are carrying, it would be such a blessing to them.

Megan or myself will be updating everyone here as much as we're able. Thank you in advance for giving generously to support Mark and Megan. Please remember to keep them in your prayers. Thank you all so much!

Warm regards,

Kara