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Benjamin Venezia, a 13 year old, Boy Scout, Altar Boy, GOYAN, and student of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church of Paramus was diagnosed on March 29, 2012, with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and has been undergoing treatment at Hackensack University Hospital. While things seemed to be moving in a positive direction, we recently learned that Benjamin's leukemia returned -- meaning that besides the additional round of chemo, Benjamin's only cure is a Bone Marrow Transplant.

for information on local drives coming up, please check benjamin's youtube channel.as a mom, i just want to wrap this boy up in my arms.  i want to tell him that God loves him and that i know there are so many people praying for him.  i want to tell him to be strong and never give up.  i want him to know how many people, including perfect strangers, love him.please, please, keep benjamin and his family in your prayers.  send letters of encouragement.  and, if possible, consider being a bone marrow donor.wouldn't it be wonderful to flood his little heart and hospital room with love?  if you're interested in sending a card or letter to him, you can do so at the following address.  his parish priest has promised to deliver them to him.

St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Churchc/o Benjamin Venezia51 Paramus RoadParamus, NJ 07652

through the prayers of st. panteleimon, saints kosmas and damian, and the most holy theotokos...Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on Thy servant Benjamin. amen.**UPDATE:  Glory to God!  Benjamin found a donor and had his bone marrow transplant on November 1st.  The feast of the Unmercenary Physicians Kosmas and Damianos.  May they continue to intercede for him!