For many of us, our Senior year was the beginning of the rest of our lives, a rite of passage and a time when major decisions are made.  But, for one North Platte High School Senior, it will be the year that he waged a battle against an elusive and evil foe, cancer.

On June 28, 2013, Tucker Brown was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).  AML is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.  AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults.

Tucker is currently finishing up his fifth round of chemotherapy in Denver.  Following this round of chemotherapy, doctors will begin preparing Tucker for a bone marrow transplant.

Doctors hope to do the bone marrow transplant either this month or in February.

In order to prepare Tucker’s body for the transplant, he will undergo 7 to 10 days of intense chemotherapy prior to the procedure.  Following the transplant, Tucker will remain in the hospital for 30 to 40 days and then must live in the Denver area for an additional 100 days.

Understandably, this will create a enormous burden on Tucker’s family financially.

In an effort to lessen the burden, a fundraiser will be held on Sunday, January 26, at the Eagles Club, 320 East Front Street, in North Platte.  The fundraiser will run from Noon to 4:00 p.m., and will feature a soup cook-off competition and a silent auction.

Those interested in entering the cooking competition or donating an item for the silent auction can contact Mitchell at (308) 660-1145.  There is a $25.00 registration fee per team for the cook-off.

The event will be open to the public, and tickets will be $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 12 and under.  Children under 3 are free.  Tickets will be sold at the door.

Donations can be made anytime to the “Tucker Brown Benefit Account” at First National Bank.