Football player gets help from Winter Classic

Donald Marquis, an 18-year-old Eureka football player, has an eye-catching line on his medical records regarding his acute myeloid leukemia.

"It says 'diagnosed by a movie,'" said Donald's father, Dan Marquis.

The movie "Brian's Song" alerted Donald that his unrelenting fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain were more than bruising from a tough tackle. After watching only part of the movie, he asked his parents to take him for testing that turned his family's world upside-down.

Dan spoke to the Inter Lake Friday from his son's hospital room at the University of Washington Medical Center.

He wanted to share their story to encourage support for this week's Whitefish Winter Classic, the annual fundraiser that raises money for the nonprofit group, For the Children Inc., which helps children and their families with costs related to medical care.

According to Dan, For the Children rescued him and his pregnant wife, Jennifer, from sleeping in their car in Seattle while their son receives aggressive chemotherapy.

"They donated $3,000 so we were able to get a place a few blocks from the hospital," he said.

Former Miami Dolphin football standout Doug Betters founded For the Children and started the winter benefit 24 years ago after hearing so often about families with sick children who were trying to raise money.

Each year, the organization provides between $40,000 and $60,000 to families to help pay travel and living expenses not covered by medical insurance. The Marquis family had an all-too-familiar story when they contacted Betters.

Their journey began about five weeks ago when imaging tests at Kalispell Regional Medical Center found a tumor the size of two grapefruits on Donald's heart.

After a biopsy found the tumor was cancer-related, the family was referred to the University of Washington, where Donald was diagnosed two weeks ago with acute myeloid leukemia with a heart tumor, a rare complication.

"It was a real kick to the stomach," Dan said. "We don't have insurance. It's overwhelming."

A heavy equipment operator, Dan hadn't worked for a while due to complications from a previously broken neck. Jennifer, a plumber, had been sidelined from work because of her high-risk pregnancy.

But with their son critically ill, the couple couldn't wait to round up money for living expenses before heading to Seattle.

But their referral to For the Children brought a telephone call from Betters and a deposit of $3,000 into their Eureka checking account within 48 hours.

Susan Abell, committee chairwoman of For the Children, processed their application quickly over the telephone. Dan's voice cracked slightly as he described the heartbreak of their situation at the time.

"No one can be prepared for something like this," he said. "One day you're fine and the next day you're running here and they're trying to save your son's life."

As he spoke on the telephone, his son was being prepped for a spinal tap to allow chemotherapy treatments to reach his brain. His other son, Steven, 17, joined them in Seattle for testing as a potential bone-marrow donor for his brother.

Dan and his wife expect to spend at least the next two months in Seattle while Donald receives more chemotherapy. In spite of the financial hardship, Donald's parents won't leave his side as he receives the harsh yet lifesaving chemicals.

"He gets violently sick when it's happening," Dan said. "The last three nights we spent in his room."

They provide an extra set of eyes and hands to watch over and help him in and out of bed. Dan said that any injury could prove serious or fatal with Donald's low blood platelet count.

The family remains optimistic that Donald eventually will make a full recovery. Dan said that they have heard many remarkable stories about the University of Washington Medical Center's capabilities since arriving at the facility.

"I know he's in the right place," he said. "We put our faith in the Lord."

He called his son a real trooper who has shown great courage. Dan wanted to express his gratitude to Betters for more than just the financial support from For the Children.

According to Dan, Betters' concern and involvement as a former Montana Griz and Miami Dolphin player provided an emotional boost for Donald, who dreamed all his life of a career in professional sports.

"He's a football player by heart," he said. "He wanted to play for the Montana Griz."

Last year, Donald ran back interceptions for touchdowns of 92 and 96 yards for Eureka, according to Eric Manegold, one of Betters' former teammates at the University of Montana who visited Donald in the hospital.

Donald also is active in basketball, hunting, fishing and snowboarding, carries a 3.5 grade-point average and is a youth leader in his church, according to his father.

Meeting players such as Manegold and the potential of meeting Betters in the future mean a lot to Donald as he tackles a very tough series of treatments.

"The smile that comes over his face is awesome," Dan said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com