So often we hear a tragic story about somebody and we are left wondering about the outcome.

The Newland family wanted to offer the community an update on young Mark, whom The Press featured in a story about a year ago.

At the time, Mark was a 16-year-old junior at Genoa High School. He was diagnosed in July 2007 with diffused anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time of his diagnosis he was a stage 4, which is very serious.

Mark was to undergo 12 months of chemotherapy. His family was not sure if he would even be able to go to school. Not only did he attend classes, he was able to participate on the varsity basketball team.

“Through the last year, we expected a few setbacks but thankfully everything went better than expected,” said Michelle Newland, Mark’s mom, adding that Mark completed his last treatment of chemo right before school, he recently finished all his scans and all the cancer is gone.

“Those of you who know Mark know this is not the first battle he has had to fight in his 17 years, but again, he came out a champ,” she said. “He is truly a fighter and a very strong young man.”

Mark’s family stresses that they feel they could have not gotten through the last year alone. “We again would like to thank everyone for all you have done for us through this trying time,” Michelle said. “To everyone who offered rides to chemo, meals, health products and everything else, please know just because we didn’t take you up on your offers does not mean we didn’t appreciate it - we never forgot.”

Michelle credits the continued understanding from co-workers and clients, which enabled the family to adjust schedules to accommodate Mark’s care and treatments.

“We again would like to thank the entire staff at the Genoa Schools, the whole Genoa community and surrounding communities for all you have done for us,” she said. “At the time of Mark’s diagnosis, he had only been at Genoa for four years - we didn’t know many of you, yet everyone went out of there way to make sure we knew they cared.

“We would like to give a special thanks to Mike Thomas, Genoa’s assistant athletic director for all he has done for us,” Michelle said. “He is a true blessing to our family.”

The Newland family also expressed gratitude to Bay Park Community Hospital and Toledo Children’s Hospital for the “above-and-beyond” care and services they provided.

“The staff (at Bay Park) was exceptional - no matter what Mark wanted, they made sure to get it for him,” she said. “The only thing he could really eat were milkshakes and we found out his nurses would actually stir them by hand for him.

“We truly feel both hospitals treated Mark as they would have treated their own children,” Michelle said.

“We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.”

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