Fundraiser Set to Help Central Graduate Battle Aplastic Anemia

SAN ANGELO, TX - A 2022 Central High School graduate has been diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, with “progressions towards myelodysplastic syndrome" and local businesses are helping defray the cost of treatment with a fundraiser. 

According to information, this is one of a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature. As a result, the blood cells do not develop into healthy blood cells. 

If not treated it will develop into acute myeloid leukemia. 

“Our prayer is that there is no progression before the treatment begins,” the family stated. 

To treat this, Ben Berry, who currently works for Crawford Construction, will undergo chemotherapy to rid his body of any unhealthy cells. Then he will have an allogeneic stem cell transplant/bone marrow transplant. 

Once a donor is found, Ben will spend four to six weeks at Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, for the chemo and transplant. He will then undergo an additional twelve weeks in “close proximity” to the hospital for follow-up care. 

To bolster support for Ben's medical expenses, a fundraiser featuring a brisket lunch sale and a raffle is taking place. 

The event will take place on May 30, 2024, at Angelo Bolt, 808 Warehouse Rd, from 11 a.m. until sold out. 

For orders of 10 or more brisket plates, delivery will be provided free of charge. Orders can be placed by texting or calling 325-277-7771.

Raffle tickets are being sold at Angelo Bolt, Green Meadow Vet Clinic, and directly through contact with Katie Loehman, 325-277-7771. 

Prices are set at $20 per ticket or six for $100, with prizes including a weekend stay at the “Bird House” Airbnb in downtown San Angelo, a Glock 9MM 43X, and a Rol-Air portable air compressor. 

Contributions can also be made through Venmo @Abby-Berry-28 or the GoFundMe campaign at gofund.me/de6d6d54.