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Benefit for Mark W. Farrell on March 3

by jmaloni
Fri, Mar 1st 2013 01:05 pm

Can You Help?

Family and friends of Mark W. Farrell will be hosting a benefit to help out with his growing medical expenses on Sunday, March 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Vincent De Paul (St. Leo site), 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls.

Mark was born and raised in Niagara Falls. The son of Jerry and Catherine Farrell, his father was a well-known local DJ for WGR, WJJL and WKBW radio until his death from a heart attack in 1977.

Mark owned two city bars: Little Willies, on the corner of 16th Street and Pine Avenue, and Night Owl's, which was in the City Market in the 1980s and eventually moved to Main Street until its closing. He also worked for STV Cable and Niagara County Community College. He and his wife, Carol, have lived in Lewiston for the past 20 years.

Mark was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in October 2011. In January 2012, he began radiation treatments at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, five days a week, continuing for seven weeks.

In July, it was discovered that the cancer had returned and the only option was "salvage" surgery. On Aug. 1, Mark underwent a 13-hour surgery to remove the cancer, which unfortunately included the removal of his larynx (voice box) to complete the necessary reconstruction. He was hospitalized for one month after surgery and since then has had five subsequent hospitalizations.

Currently, his only form of nutrition is received through a feeding tube. He is presently home, but requires 24-hour care, specially compounded medications that are given via a feeding tube, and several forms of therapy.

Recently, Mark fell, suffered bleeding to his brain, and is now recovering from this latest setback. His medical expenses continue to mount.

Tickets to the benefit are $20 and include a spaghetti dinner, entertainment by the Mombrea Brothers Band, and one sheet of auction tickets. The benefit will feature a basket auction, raffles, gift certificates and baked goods for sale.

Organizers note one special raffle will be for a small kitchen renovation, including 12 new kitchen cabinets, counter tops, kitchen sink and faucet. Labor includes removal of old cabinets and installation of new.

The donation is provided courtesy of Valery Contracting, president Remi Gonzalez, and various sub-contractors, along with Kitchen World and specialist Tom Cheff. A $5,500 value, raffle tickets will be on sale for $1 for a chance to win.

Additionally, organizers will be raffling off a 47-inch TV, plus holding $1 raffles for a Nexus 7 Blu-ray player, other items and the basket auction.

Raffle items, basket donations for basket auction, gift certificates, baked goods and all other donations are greatly appreciated. Pickup/drop-off arrangements can be made by calling Remi Gonzalez, 716-622-5354; Joe Mombrea, 716-210-8696; Mike Hall, 716-285-3725; Rich Backlas, 716-285-8037; Linda Edwards, 716-471-9211; or Rita Farrell, 716-628-4320

Please join Mark, his wife Carol, and family and friends in supporting him through this most difficult time. For those unable to attend, checks can be made payable to "Mark W. Farrell Benefit."

For additional information, visit http://www.markfarrell.org or call 716-628-4320.

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