GREAT FALLS — We work hard to deliver the news to you, and it is a total team effort-- from the on-air reporters to the behind the scenes staff.
One of our own is going through an unimaginably difficult time and needs our help.
Michael Upton is a part of our amazing Sales staff here at KRTV and has been in the midst of the fight of his life after he was diagnosed with Stage II brain cancer.
Doctors found a brain tumor on October 2nd, followed with surgery on October 7th to remove the tumor.
Saturday, January 11th there is a Spaghetti Dinner and Fundraiser being hosted to support Michael and his family to help relieve some of the financial burden of his treatment.
The event will also feature a silent auction and 50/50 drawing.
According to the Facebook Event Michael will have follow up appointments with his oncology team to draft a treatment plan that best fits Michael's needs to fight this battle with brain cancer.
Michael spoke with our news team and had this to share about his fight:
"I think initially when you find out you have cancer you’re in denial for a little bit and really don’t know what to do because there’s a lot of unknowns.
One of the unknowns was the type of cancer because there’s so many different types of brain cancer.
So during my recovery it was agonizing how long it was to find out what type I might have.
There are some that are extremely aggressive and some that are not.
I just wanted to know exactly what kind I had so I could decide what direction my life was going.
I was able to recover from my surgery and get back to work within a month, which was the best thing for me because it didn’t allow me to just sit around and think about what was going on.
Once I found out the type of cancer I had (oligodendroglioma), I was able to move forward with a treatment option.
I will be part of a clinical trial for my treatment plan and this will help other people in the future with this insidious disease.
Since I am now living with a bunch of unknowns in life, a lot more simple things in life make me happier now.
Seeing my daughter and wife leave for school and work in the morning is one thing that has become a lot more special to me.
My co-workers, family and friends being super supportive.
The community of Great Falls seems to come together to help people in time of need and that is very humbling.
It’s weird being the person that the benefit is for, but it always makes me feel as if I have made a positive impact on some people’s lives. "
The dinner is going to be Saturday January 11th, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Black Eagle: 401 21st Street North.
If you can't make it to tonight's event but wish to donate you can do so here.
