Ian the Cancer Wrangler

05/28/2026

If everyone can join us in prayer for another amazing warrior, Ava. She is a beautiful girl we've watched from the times we were on the BMT floor at St. Jude. Ian was going through his second BMT at the time. We've been following Ava since she is also from Central Illinois. She has been such a fighter and beautiful through it all.

Recently there seems to be a decline in her health and breathing. It just reminds me so much of Mighty Miller, who was close to Ava during their time together at St. Jude.

2.5 years ago these amazing kids beat cancer, but the last step in their treatment protocol is a BMT. It's just so unfair. The word CANCER is overwhelming, but the part rarely talked about is how hard surviving treatment can be.

Please if everyone can say a prayer for Ava and her family. Please lord, give Ava everything she needs at this time of her life. Please surround her with the people she loves and making memories that will last forever.

Time.
It’s free, but it’s priceless. You think you have an infinite amount of it. It can be a thief, but it’s also a gift. You waste it. It moves too fast or it can feel like it’s not moving at all. In the end, all you do is wish that you just had more of it.

Yesterday’s procedure failed to give us the results we had hoped for.
We have decided to go home. To spend our time together as a family, and help comfort and ease Ava from this earthly life into the next one. Where she will be surrounded by family and everyone who loves and adores her.
We invite everyone to visit once we get home to celebrate her and her courageous fight.
We love you AvaStrong!

05/27/2026

💚 A little reality check from the childhood cancer world… 💚

Over the past few months, I’ve been noticing more and more posts about platelet shortages and now it’s becoming something cancer families are feeling every single day.

What breaks my heart is hearing families say their child is only receiving ½… sometimes even ¼… of the platelets they would normally get because supply is so limited. That can mean going back to the hospital 2–3 times a week instead of once. That's more pokes, more time away from home, more interruptions to treatment and trying to just be a kid.

I came across this picture when Ian was receiving platelets and noticed the little green ❤️ “Thank a Donor” heart on the bag. I don’t think I fully appreciated it in that moment… but someone took time out of their day to donate and helped carry Ian through treatment.

Even now, Ian has low platelets and RBS counts from the intense Bone Marrow Transplants Ian received 2.5 years ago.

So if you’ve ever wondered if donating matters… it does. More than you know. ❤️ This is coming from places where families may never receive a bill and generous donations help make care possible, but blood products are different. No amount of money can replace a blood or platelet donation when supply runs low. They still have to come from someone willing to donate, and for many kids, that can truly make all the difference.

Please, if you’re able, consider finding a place near you to donate platelets. Your donation could help a local child keep moving forward with treatment… and give families one less thing to worry about. 💚🎗️

Give Platelets | ImpactLife https://share.google/CevzAaFwFnsCpJsMO

Many lifesaving medical treatments require platelet transfusions. Learn more about donating platelets at ImpactLife.

05/21/2026

Update** (look at me doing an update after scans).
Had a great Clinic visit after Ian’s scan today. All of the results were back in time too, so we could talk about them. That never happens.
Overall Ian's health update from scans:
✔️Chest shows some irritation, but that is common in scans for those who have been put under anesthesia a lot. We commonly see this.
✔️Liver lesions: overall common with all that Ian has been through. No new lesions detected other than what has been found in his previous scans. Not effecting his liver functions or any other issues.
✔️ Natera blood drawn to send for solid mass tumor early detection study. If they couldn't complete the test (like last time), it's on them, not us cause they were able to get big beautiful collections from his IV.
✔️Ian’s RBC and Platelets are still abnormally low, but thats common after treatment plus the fact that Ian's 3x BMTs are still trying to catch up, even after 2 years ago. He's still in his "normal range" and at least not going down, just very slightly up.
✔️unexpected good news: So ever since OSF upgraded the MRI imaging, they've always commented on tumor tissue left over by his iliac vessels. We really haven't been following that, except that it's there, hasn't grown, and no uptake. It reads like this:
"Peritoneum/retroperitoneum: Partially cystic lesion adjacent to the right common iliac vessels demonstrating an internal fluid fluid level is slightly decreased in size from prior. It measures 1.5 x 0.9 x 1.8 cm (3/35, 4/19), previously 1.9 x 1.2 x 1.8 cm 1.8 x 1.2 x 1.1 cm. This lesion does not exhibit restricted diffusion or enhancement. Small volume pelvic free fluid." So the fact that it has actually gotten smaller in the last 3 months is pretty cool.

Plus just had an amazing talked with Ian's Primary Oncologist who was in clinic today. Once again went over everything: scans, looking ahead, and also we are halfway through his first year of scans after treatment. Plus I got to thank her again for everything she has done for Ian and our family. I felt terrible I didn't talk with her at the bell ringing celebration. Tears were shed, sometimes the emotions just hit you when you least expect it.

*****************************

MRI scans today with sedation. PET/CT a few weeks ago went well and nothing too concerning showed up.

Going to clinic later today, hopfully to go over scans if they are done in time.

He seems to have these spots show up in his liver, but apparently they aren't concerning. It will be interesting to see if they ever get big enough or enough spots to be concerned with his liver activity. I wounder if it's from all the trauma his liver went through treatment and filtering out so many things like dead tumor tissue, fluid from all the ascites, and then chemo/rescue meds.

I'll try to update everyone if we get to talk to the Dr with scan results being back. Or if we go on like normal: no news is good news.

We have clinic at 2pm today 🥴 so we are trying to stay busy in the cafeteria with work books. By this pace, Ian will be done with all 3 by noon. Send help....lol

05/07/2026

Another first! 🦷💙

Sounds silly, but Ian finally had his very first dentist appointment!

Honestly, for a kid who went almost 2 years surviving on “swish and spit” saline rinses and then another year just learning how to brush his teeth, especially at his age, his teeth really weren’t that bad. The dentist did ask if he had thrown up a lot… and yes sir, he sure did. 😅

Thankfully, the doctor feels like things look pretty good overall and his baby teeth should be okay until they naturally fall out.

The BIGGEST news though… they scanned his teeth and his adult teeth are there and, so far, pointing in the right direction! 🙌 That was a huge relief. There are so many heartbreaking stories about chemo and radiation affecting adult teeth development, so hearing that was incredible news for us.

They also couldn’t believe how well he behaved for this being his very first appointment. He did AMAZING.

And now? He can’t wait to go back. 😂

And yes… the Captain America costume made an appearance because it was Super Hero Day at school and “luckily” Dad managed to find it this morning. 🇺🇸🦸‍♂️

05/07/2026

Omg, I remember this picture being taken, and the first time we did a "thank a donor " on his blood infusion!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BzVWVUhsx/

📣 Attention platelet donors! 📣 Our community needs you! Platelet supplies are low right now, and patients need heroes to step up and give the gift of life.

Schedule your donation today ➡️ bloodcenter.org/donate

05/05/2026

We may not all be Jedi, but when you donate blood, YOU are a Force for good! May the 4th be with you! ⭐🩸

05/05/2026

Scan day today 💛

Ian is having a PET and CT. He was supposed to have an MRI as well, but after coming down with strep on Saturday (and adding in his very first wiggly tooth 🦷), anesthesia didn’t feel it was safe for him to go under right now.

As always, we can use the prayers. It’s been since December since his last chemo, and we know how quickly things can change in just a few months.
But just like always… he’s an absolute rockstar ⭐

No flinching for the IV, even after a tough start with one in his hand that didn’t work and needing another higher up in his arm. Tough as nails.

Even though we aren’t in clinic with his bestie today, the PET scan team has become one of his favorites. He’s still the youngest patient they scan, and because he does it awake, he gets to use the newer machines, which he thinks is pretty cool.

They’re working on getting his MRI rescheduled, and we’ll follow up with his doctor after that.
Thank you for continuing to lift him up. 💛

05/03/2026

Lucky number 7 ⚾️
Ian got his season pictures today, and he is having the best time! He’s getting better at getting in front of the ball, hitting the coaches’ pitches, and throwing where he’s supposed to throw.

And boy… boys are a different breed. 😂 The goofiness, digging in the dirt with cleats, and finding new silly ways to throw the ball, it’s been so fun to watch.

What a fun new season and sport to add to the Bentz family! 💙⚾️

12/19/2025

🎅📰 HOT OFF THE NORTH POLE PRESS! 🧝‍♀️✨
Santa’s elves have finished counting, and the final tally from Ian’s Giving of Hope Drive is in!

💙 Potential Impact from Ian’s Giving of Hope Drive

🩸 17 Whole Blood donations

👉 Each whole blood donation can help up to 3 people
👉 17 × 3 = up to 51 people helped

🩸 4 Double Red donations

👉 Each Double Red donation collects 2 units of red blood cells, helping up to 6 people
👉 4 × 6 = up to 24 people helped

🌟 Total Potential Impact:

✨ Up to 75 lives helped because of this drive.
That’s 75 patients, 75 families, and 75 reasons for hope — all because this community showed up with open hearts and giving hands. ❤️🎁

12/17/2025

🎉 Alright, TODAY’S the day!!! 🎉
We are so excited to start getting ready for Ian’s Hope Drive today from 2 PM - 5:50 PM at the Clinton Community YMCA, featuring our Heroes for LIFE Blood Drive with ImpactLife🩸 and Toys for Tots Toy Drive 🧸❤️

The giving spirit is strong, and YOU are showing up in a big way! Here’s where we’re at right now:

🩸 Whole Blood Appointments:
✅ 16 of 24 spots filled — AMAZING!
➡️ 8 slots still available

❤️ Double Red Donations:
✅ 2 of 4 spots filled — so awesome!
➡️ 2 slots still open

✨ Walk-ins are always welcome! ✨

🎄 Special Ian Alert: Ian will be there passing out candy canes, so be sure to look for him when you’re donating blood or dropping off a toy!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone helping make Ian’s Hope Drive come together. This community never ceases to amaze us. 💙🛡️

https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/146374