Mark was named The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2009 Boy of the Year for the Virginia Chapter’s Richmond Man & Women of the Year campaign.
Published: December 04, 2008
By Angela Florimo
You might know 6-year-old Mark Isabelle as the swimmer in the next lane on the Ashcreek Crocs Swim Team or as the first baseman tagging the runner out on the Tigers T-ball Team.
You probably do not know him as the boy who is battling cancer in the biggest game of his life.
On May 24, 2006, Mark, then 4, received a diagnosis that would not only change his life forever, but the lives of his family, friends and anyone who would meet him.
He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and young adults under the age of 20.
Mark was named The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2009 Boy of the Year for the Virginia Chapter’s Richmond Man & Women of the Year campaign.
The campaign raises money to cure blood cancers.
When the announcement was made that Mark would serve as the 2009 Boy of the Year, he sang — with his guitar in hand – “This Land Is Your Land” and “Soulja Boy,” complete with all the dance moves.
“They absolutely loved him. Mark is quite the charming performer,” said Molly Tanner, senior campaign manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“They screamed in my ear really loud,” Mark said , obviously overwhelmed by their response.
Tanner said Mark was chosen because he “is a truly amazing little boy. In his short life, he has been through more trauma than many of us can imagine.”
With the designation, Mark will be sharing his story, photographs and journey with cancer.
He also will be appearing in a poster, with other honored heroes, sent to schools that participate in the fundraiser, Pennies for Patients, between January and March 2009, to collect coins to help local patients.
Mark appears in a CBS commercial for the National Capital (Washington, D.C.) Area Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
You can’t miss Mark because he is wearing his favorite color shirt, which happens to be orange.
“I am special because I have leukemia,” Mark said.
He is in his third year of a three-year Continua-tion Phase for his leukemia treatment.
“He currently receives multiple chemos (chemotherapies) on a daily basis, steroids one-week a month and a spinal tap every three months,” said Wendy Isabelle.
But it’s not all bad.
“After doctors visit, me and my Mommy get a Slurpee from 7-Eleven,” Mark said with a smile.
In August 2009, “If cancer is no longer present, Mark will be in remission. He will continue to get monthly blood drawn — as a precautionary measure — and take antibiotics for a year,” a hopeful Wendy said.
“You know that saying it takes a village to raise a child. Well, I think if you pared that down it takes a family to raise each other. We are so proud of the way Mark’s siblings — Megan Isabelle, 14, and Chris Isabelle, 10 — have handled the ‘unforeseen’ situation of Mark’s diagnosis. They simply say he has cancer just like he has blond hair and brown eyes, and Mark is Mark,” Wendy added.
As for how cancer has changed her son, she said “We will never know. We don’t know what kind of 5- or 6-year-old he would have been. We tried not to have the cancer change him or be an excuse. If anything, I think he is more compassionate.”
“I know that persistence, courage, love and faith will see our family through for the next 10 months. With all this said, the sparkle in Mark’s beautiful brown eyes continues to dance. The smile on his face is even more contagious than ever before. His cute dimples anchor his wonderful smile. Mark’s energy and the urge to be a typical 6-year old is alive and well. Mark is ready to take on any challenge.”
