Race to Recovery for Mark
Donation protected
Mark Banaszak can use your HELP !
Mark Banaszak is a big, strong, happy guy who is a true friend to all! He can always be relied on in a time of need.
Mark is a mechanic, and when he isn’t at work repairing fire engines, he can be found at home or at a friend’s house working on a car or two. Even as a kid he was always building something. He was caught stealing the wheels off his sister’s Inch Worm because “he needed them,” when he was about 8 years old! He has always been a “car guy.”
Many who know Mark, probably are unaware of what he has faced over the years. At the age of 10, Mark was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL.) At that time, the survival rate for ALL was 20%. Most kids died. After four years of chemotherapy, injections of chemo in his spine, lots of pills and radiation to his head and testicles, he was one of the lucky survivors.
Nine years ago, Mark’s luck ran out when a tumor appeared in his brain. This tumor was probably the result of the radiation he had to his head when he was a kid. The tumor was surgically removed, and he has enjoyed another nine good years.
In January of this year, at the age of 52, he developed some new problems, and so he once again had another brain tumor removed. This time, because they did not get it all, they have recommended radiation to his brain. That still has not been done as he developed a bad infection in his testicles, caused by a catheter, which ultimately required the surgical removal of one of his testicles. Unfortunately, they diagnosed a rare form of cancer in the testicle that was removed. So, on he went to more doctors to determine what should be done about this new problem. The testicle issue is still pending, as well as the radiation to his brain.
As Mark’s luck has seemed to run all bad lately, he recently developed headaches in the right side of his head, as well as partial loss of vision in his right eye. On May 19th, Mark was back in ER. Unfortunately, after 10 days in the hospital, and too many tests to mention, they have not really diagnosed the problem or determined how to treat it. A team of doctors have been working to provide answers, but all they know for sure is that there is “something” wrapped around his right optic nerve which is causing the vision problem in the right eye and since it is so close to the left optic nerve, it has already begun to cause problems with the left eye. They are afraid to do a biopsy as it will most likely cause the complete loss of vision in the right eye. He will need to have some kind of treatment, radiation or surgery to hopefully save his eyesight and he will probably need to go to more doctors to find someone who can help.
As you can imagine, Mark has not been able to work since January and no one knows if or when he will be able to return to work. After nearly five months, the medical bills are piling up. As you can see, Mark could use your support, if possible please donate to his GoFundMe fundraiser account. Even a small contribution would be appreciated. A few prayers would be good too!
Mark Banaszak is a big, strong, happy guy who is a true friend to all! He can always be relied on in a time of need.
Mark is a mechanic, and when he isn’t at work repairing fire engines, he can be found at home or at a friend’s house working on a car or two. Even as a kid he was always building something. He was caught stealing the wheels off his sister’s Inch Worm because “he needed them,” when he was about 8 years old! He has always been a “car guy.”
Many who know Mark, probably are unaware of what he has faced over the years. At the age of 10, Mark was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL.) At that time, the survival rate for ALL was 20%. Most kids died. After four years of chemotherapy, injections of chemo in his spine, lots of pills and radiation to his head and testicles, he was one of the lucky survivors.
Nine years ago, Mark’s luck ran out when a tumor appeared in his brain. This tumor was probably the result of the radiation he had to his head when he was a kid. The tumor was surgically removed, and he has enjoyed another nine good years.
In January of this year, at the age of 52, he developed some new problems, and so he once again had another brain tumor removed. This time, because they did not get it all, they have recommended radiation to his brain. That still has not been done as he developed a bad infection in his testicles, caused by a catheter, which ultimately required the surgical removal of one of his testicles. Unfortunately, they diagnosed a rare form of cancer in the testicle that was removed. So, on he went to more doctors to determine what should be done about this new problem. The testicle issue is still pending, as well as the radiation to his brain.
As Mark’s luck has seemed to run all bad lately, he recently developed headaches in the right side of his head, as well as partial loss of vision in his right eye. On May 19th, Mark was back in ER. Unfortunately, after 10 days in the hospital, and too many tests to mention, they have not really diagnosed the problem or determined how to treat it. A team of doctors have been working to provide answers, but all they know for sure is that there is “something” wrapped around his right optic nerve which is causing the vision problem in the right eye and since it is so close to the left optic nerve, it has already begun to cause problems with the left eye. They are afraid to do a biopsy as it will most likely cause the complete loss of vision in the right eye. He will need to have some kind of treatment, radiation or surgery to hopefully save his eyesight and he will probably need to go to more doctors to find someone who can help.
As you can imagine, Mark has not been able to work since January and no one knows if or when he will be able to return to work. After nearly five months, the medical bills are piling up. As you can see, Mark could use your support, if possible please donate to his GoFundMe fundraiser account. Even a small contribution would be appreciated. A few prayers would be good too!
Organizer and beneficiary
Maryellen Olhava
Organizer
McHenry, IL
Joan Banaszak
Beneficiary
