Support is pouring in for a longtime Victor firefighter and father of two after a recent cancer diagnosis disrupted his life and placed financial strain on his family.
Mark Militello, Deputy Chief at the Victor Fire Department and Fire Marshal at the University of Rochester, is preparing to undergo surgery on May 1 to remove a lesion on his left kidney. The lesion, discovered incidentally during a February ER visit, was later diagnosed as Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Militello was initially admitted for a stomach virus, but a CT scan prompted by abdominal pain revealed the unexpected mass. After a series of appointments with a urology specialist, doctors confirmed the diagnosis. He now faces a 4–6 week recovery period following surgery.
A GoFundMe campaign titled Lending A Hand: Support Mark Militello & Family has been launched by Brooke Wagner and others to help cover the family’s medical and daily expenses during this time. Organizers say the early detection has given the Militello family hope for a full recovery.
“Mark is a devoted husband, loving father to two daughters, and a third-generation volunteer firefighter,” the campaign states. “Given the physical demands and environmental risks of his work and service, his doctors noted that diagnoses like this are unfortunately not uncommon.”
The fundraiser emphasizes that it is the only official GoFundMe for the Militello family. Donations will help alleviate the burden of medical bills and living expenses while Mark recovers.
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