Chris Johnson (right), pictured with wife and two daughters. Submitted photo.

ELLINGTON – A local family has recently found themselves in a nightmarish scenario of watching a loved one battle through the challenge of cancer.

Recent improvements in the condition have inspired the family to set up an event that will help to financially contribute toward the medical costs, while also giving loved ones a chance to connect and hear about the progress.

Chris Johnson would discover this cancer diagnosis about one year ago exactly, said sister-in-law Brittany Green. Though Johnson had been sick for some time by that point, the Acute Myeloid Leukemia diagnosis was still shocking for the family, she said. Green stated that this prompted the family to begin seeking treatments at the Roswell Medical Center, During this time Johnson would have frequent monitoring, tests, and undergo various treatment attempts. One of the biggest steps toward progress was recently made due to Johnson undergoing a stem cell transplant. This treatment sees blank cells transplanted into the body where they can map to specific cell roles, something that Johnson went through just earlier this year. While an absolutely transformative surgery, the challenges thus far are still not over.

“So then they had to stay up in Buffalo for quite some time. They had to leave their two kids with their grandparents and they kind of shared time with them,” said Green. “So that was challenging for everybody, even for the kids. You know, they missed mom and dad, but they were eventually able to go up to Buffalo and stay with them for some time.”

While still at Roswell, Johnson would continue to undergo more biopsies and various tests. Green stated that this ultimately began to show signs of gradual improvement. As a result, Johnson was able to return home to spend time with family as the battle continued. Green stated that Johnson will need to continuously monitor the cancer for three to five years as well. She said any amount of fighting seems worth it for Johnson to return to enjoy the small and simple pleasures of daily life.

“Being back around family and everything, and being back with the kids, and being able to get a little bit more of that normalcy back into his life is very, very much needed,” said Green. “I know that he’s really enjoyed being able to get back to a little bit of normalcy.”

Green noted the difficulty in planning visits for loved ones while Johnson was at Roswell, largely due to the need to protect Johnson during weakened immunity. Not only did many loved ones not get to visit during this time, but it also prevented a benefit from being put together. Now that Johnson has returned home and is feeling somewhat better, Green stated that a fundraiser will be held to try to gather some donations that can help with Johnson’s high treatment costs.

The fundraiser will be taking place at the Grandview Hotel in Ellington, and will have a host of prizes and activities to keep people entertained. Green stated that there will be a gun raffle happening, where guests can take home some valuable prizes. There will also be loads of foods and drinks that have been supplied by businesses from around the county. Not only that, but a 50/50 raffle and the pre-sale chicken BBQ are also set for the fundraiser. Green stated that the family is currently looking to find some other small lawn game such as cornhole, or any games that can be enjoyed by both guests and Johnson.

The event is set to take place on Saturday, April 25, and will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information contact Brittnay Green at (716) 450-8195.