Help Cedar Springs grad fight leukemia

It was a birthday Lisa Mabie Blair will never forget—the day she was told her oldest son, Joshua Parker, was diagnosed with leukemia. That was two years ago and the news hit the family hard. Joshua grew up in Cedar Springs and is now residing in Rockford with his wife, Heidi.

Joshua was healthy until only days before his diagnosis. His first symptom was shoulder pain. He worked at Acme Pool Company and figured he strained a muscle. Days later he had a terrible stomach ache that propelled him to call his wife at work. Heidi took him into emergency and after several tests, they learned Joshua had a large spleen and his white blood count was high.

That’s when they got the diagnoses of cancer.

Since then, he’s been in and out of the hospital. In June of this year Joshua received a bone marrow transplant and continues to struggle with health issues.

The family has made plans for a benefit for Joshua on July 30. The event will be held at Solon Center Wesleyan Church from 5 to 8 p.m. and will consist of a spaghetti dinner and silent auction. Donations are needed and if you would like to be a part of this event, call 696-9264.

An account at Independent Bank has also been set up for those who would like to donate. Mention Joshua’s name at any Independent Bank location. You can follow Joshua’s progress on the web: lifeloveandleukemia.blogspot.com.