Minden child making progress in fight against cancer

MINDEN, La. (KSLA) — Cole Benson set out to conquer cancer in August of 2021, starting his journey at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

He was diagnosed with T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma when he was 6 years old. Now he’s almost 8 years old and still fighting cancer with a smile.

“One thing I try to look at is on the bright side instead of the bad side. I can push through it even though I know I can have more fun at the end.”

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The goal is to raise both funds and awareness.

Ashleigh, Cole’s mother, said, “We still have a ways to go. He should finish around May 2024.”

Meantime, Cole takes frequent trips to Memphis and visits the St. Jude affiliate clinic in Shreveport.

His sister Alayna said watching her brother’s journey has inspired her, too. Now she says she wants to work at St. Jude when she grows up.

The Fight Like Emilie Foundation is a local nonprofit that helps families, as well.

According to the website, the foundation “exists to support research, institutions/organizations, families, and initiatives, as well as to raise awareness in the fight to defeat childhood cancer.”

There are multiple events scheduled in Minden to help cancer patients and their families this month:

• Friday, Sept. 9, there will be a fish fry at Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, 1201 Park Hwy.
• Saturday, Sept. 17, the Down East Boys will be “Singing for St. Jude” at Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, 1201 Park Hwy. Doors open at 5 p.m. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Tim Greer is the contact for both events. He can be reached at tgreer59@bellsouth.net

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