At Mercy, we understand that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the patient — it impacts the entire family. Mark Jenks’ journey began when he noticed unusual bruising around his eyes. After a series of tests, Dr. Annum Faisal diagnosed Mark with multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

Mark lives in Mountain Grove, MO, with his wife and their five adopted children, each with special needs. Securing safe, reliable care for their children during Mark’s treatments proved nearly impossible, so the entire family made the hour-long drive to Springfield for every appointment.

That’s when Mercy’s cancer navigation team stepped in. From the very beginning, Mark’s nurse navigator and social worker were there for him, offering critical support throughout his treatment. They assisted with appointment scheduling, coordinated communication between medical departments and provided help with securing gas cards, hotel stays, nutritional supplements and other vital needs. They even arranged fun, budget-friendly activities for Mark’s family to enjoy during long waits between appointments.