Town Welcomes Home Local Youth Who Has Been Battling Brain Tumor

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

December 29, 2021

Town leaders and residents turned out in droves on Christmas Eve to welcome Ben Marek, a local 11-year-old who has been battling a brain tumor, home for Christmas.

More than 800 people, including local police officers and Marek’s principal and teachers at Hatton Elementary School gathered on his street to welcome him home after his discharge from Massachusetts General Hospital.

As he emerged from his father’s vehicle, he was greeted by cheering crowds holding balloons and wishing him well. The local Knights of Columbus has written several encouraging messages on the road with chalk for him to see. Neighbors as well as local businesses, such as Total Auto Complete Auto Service and Repair, also put signs up welcoming Ben home.

Ben Marek completed his last treatment a week before his discharge. After being diagnosed in February with a craniopharyngioma brain tumor, he endured 30 rounds of radiation treatments. At one point, he was on life support for an entire month following complications from a surgery. He came off of life support on the night before Easter, which his family has called an “Easter miracle.”

In celebration of Ben Marek returning home, the town council proclaimed that Christmas Day would be Benjamin Marek Day.

“Nearly immediately, the people of Southington began to respond to Ben and his family," said Town Council Chair Victoria Triano. "They joined together and started a GoFundMe page and a Prayers for Ben campaign and adopted the motto "Ben Strong" to describe the town-wide effort to remember and encourage Ben and his family. Through the months of treatment, along with Ben's unwavering courage and determination, his condition began to improve. Although there were times of great challenges, Ben kept fighting and overcoming each obstacle with the one desire to return home to Southington."

Triano said that, prior to his diagnosis, Ben had enjoyed helping his dad and grandfather with the family construction business, Marek Brothers Construction Co. He enjoyed fishing and playing pool and spending time with his mother, father, grandparents and brothers.

"He loved his school and his classmates," said Triano as she made the proclamation. "Through the many prayers, efforts and love of those who surrounded Ben, he began to improve. Today, Ben has come home and the entire town joins in the celebration."

Ben Marek was able to spend his Christmas with his mother and father, Stacy and Brian, and his twin brothers Brian and Matthew. His father shared videos on his personal Facebook page of Ben playing pool and opening presents with them. The Prayers for Ben public Facebook group has more than 2,400 members today following Ben Marek’s journey to recovery.

A fundraiser set up for Ben Marek, which can be found at gofundme.com/f/2bkitkzm80, has successfully raised $69,207 toward a $100,000 goal. The funds are intended to help Ben’s family pay for his treatments.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.