Ben Bowen

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Ben Bowen
"Big Ben" Bowen
Born	November 14, 2002 Huntington, West Virginia
Died	February 25, 2005 (aged 2) Huntington, West Virginia
Cause of death	Brain Cancer (ATRT)
Residence	Huntington, West Virginia
Other names	"Big Ben"
Website http://www.bens-story.com

Benjamin David Bowen, commonly called "Big Ben" Bowen,^[1] (November 14, 2002—February 25, 2005^[2]) was a young Huntington, West Virginia boy who was diagnosed with a very aggressive ^[3] brain tumour on March 2, 2004. Bowen's cheerful disposition and courage despite his illness acted as a catalyst for awareness of childhood cancer. The example of Bowen and his family resulted in over 100 articles^[4] on Ben Bowen's short life and has helped raise almost $3,000,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Contents 1 Bowen's life 2 Honors 3 Ben Bowen's Influence 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Bowen's life

Bowen was born to Tom Bowen (who was involved in the World Trade Center recovery effort ^[5])and his wife Jennifer Bowen. He had a normal infancy until he was diagnosed with brain cancer when 16 months old. The Bowens knew something was not right when their son became lethargic and then started throwing up regularly and slept almost solidly for three days. They went to their local hospital in West Virginia only to be told that nothing was wrong. The parents said they were treated as if they were hypochondriacs. A CAT scan was ordered and then cancelled. They were told to go home. Finally, the Bowens' family doctor insisted on a CAT scan. Those who said nothing was wrong returned with the news of a "golf ball" sized tumor in the middle of his brain. Because of timing and a lack of hospital beds, Ben Bowen was flown to Cincinnati Children's Hospital^[6]for emergency brain surgery.^[7] Through the pathologist's report on his brain tissue the Bowen's learned that he had a very aggressive, rare, and fast growing brain cancer called called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor AT/RT. Ben Bowen did not fare well and the Cincinnati doctors referred him to St. Jude Children's Hospital in March, 2004.^[8] Tom Bowen quit his job to focus on treating his son's illness.

Saint Jude is the patron Saint of desperate causes. Ben Bowen's treatments included four brain surgeries and chemotherapy. He was too young to handle radiation therapy. These treatments ran from March 2, 2004 until November, 2004. St. Jude Children's Hospital provides world-class treatment at no charge as well as free housing for the families whose children are being treated at the hospital.^[9] Ben Bowen's brain tumour would reoccur, despite four surgeries to remove it as well as chemotherapy to stop its growth. By November, 2004 there were no known medicines or treatments left that could help him.

It was during this treatment period that Ben Bowen picked up the nickname "Big Ben; " it came from several sources. First, a family friend (Dr. Sheils), left a guestbook/email entry saying there was nothing "little" about Ben and referred to him as Big Ben. Second, nurses and doctors treating him constantly commented on his unique demeanor, bravery and smile. All of which were "big". They, too nicknamed him "Big Ben." and the nickname stuck.^[10]

With assistance from Federal Express, the Bowen family took Ben Bowen on a special two week trip for terminally ill children to Disney World. The Bowen's wished to create happy memories as a family together. Ben Bowen celebrated his second birthday during this Disney World vacation.^{[11] [5]}The Bowen family then brought Ben Bowen back to Huntington to spend as much time as possible with him before his inevitable death.

Rather than just passively wait for Bowen to pass away, the family wanted to create a legacy in their son's name and thank Saint Jude for caring for Bowen and providing family housing. Saint Jude spends over $1.5M each day for its operating costs, most of which is raised via contributions by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities. The Bowens started a fund raising program selling "Big Ben" blue wristbands (similar to those sold for the Live Strong campaign) in association with Valentine's Day. ^{[12] [13]} On Feb 13, 2005 Bowen presented a check for $37,500 to Saint Jude. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin heard of Ben Bowen's story and issued a citation honoring the toddler.^[2] The Bowen family wanted to raise at least $100,000. The wristband project ended up raising over $120,000 ^[1] Since this first fund raising campaign, Ben Bowen's example and a Saint Jude TV special has encouraged people throughout West Virginia to raise around $2,000,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The 2007 fund raising drive was a raffle for a house (called The House that Ben Built) located in Putnam County, West Virginia. This raffle brought in $808,000 by June 17, 2007. ^{[14] [15]} Governor Joe Manchin changed WV state law to make this raffle possible.

Ben Bowen's last months were physically painful. The morphine could not manage his pain, his body tripled in size and he would regurgitate fecal matter. The neuropathic pain became so bad his parents could not hold him.^[16] The Bowen family are Protestant Christians, with a stated belief that God has a plan for each life and that faith requires one believe God's good promises.^[17][8]

“

"With Ben, we’ve been challenged to put on the FYADtools of the trade [faith] and go to work. Our faith is either what we believe or it’s not. You have to act accordingly, believe God; not just believe in him."[8]

”

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at River Cities Community Church in Huntington, West Virginia. ^[1][18]. ^[19] Ben Bowen traveled on the highway that now bears his name on his way to his final resting place at Ridgelawn Memorial Park. His headstone has Mickey Mouse ears and the biblical verse 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."^{[20] [21]}. Ben Bowen is survived by his parents, an older brother Eli, and two siblings born after his death. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee area and Tom Bowen first went to work for St. Jude Children's Hospital raising funds to cure pediatric cancer.^[16]. He now is focused on creating the Children's Cancer Network as Ben Bowen's legacy.

[edit] Honors

• Ben Bowen was the St. Jude Children's Hospital Patient of the Month for September 2004.^[22]

• Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff Mark Luttrell declared December 6, 2004 to be Benjamin Bowen Day.^[23][24]

• West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin honored Bowen's life with a special citation on February 13, 2005. ^{[25] [26] [2]}

• The State Journal honored Bowen and his family as one of 55 Good Things about West Virginia in May, 2005^[27] This honor was published in a 2005 State Journal special issue. This story was also featured in an associated TV program, which was broadcast on a number of West Virginia Media Holdings stations.

• Huntington, West Virginia started the "Annual Big Ben 5K for Kids". It has been held each June and benefits St. Jude Children's Hospital as well as families with sick children.^[16]

• A new four lane bypass, West Virginia Route 193, near Huntington, West Virginia was named the "Big Ben" Bowen Highway in September, 2006. ^[28]

[edit] Ben Bowen's Influence

“

"There is no greater way to measure one's time here on Earth than by the number of lives he or she influences. In this regard, Ben is truly rich." - From the West Virginia Special Citation Honoring Ben Bowen [26]

”

• Ben Bowen has raised almost $3,000,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital. He had raised just over $120,000 at his death. His story has since raised 25X more funds after his death than during his life. Ben Bowen's life continues to influence strangers, friends, and family across the United States.

• Ben Bowen's story was first featured in a WSAZ Broadcast in March, 2004 a few days before the Bowen family moved to St. Jude Children's Hospital for almost one year of grueling treatments. ^[29][30]

• Ben Bowen and his family had a write-up in the 2004 Autumn issue of Saint Jude's Promise Magazine, it described how the 9/11 families Tom Bowen helped came back full circle to help Ben Bowen. ^[8]

• St. Jude's Children's Hospital produced one-hour special TV show Fighting for Life, ^[31] that featured Ben Bowen as one of six patients being treated for childhood cancer at Saint Jude. It was first aired on December 1, 2005. ^[32] Alan Alda narrated Bowen's story. This special has been broadcast a number of times since its first airing. This TV special has helped Ben Bowen raise substantial funds for cancer research at St. Jude Children's Hospital.

• WCHS Eyewitness News and Fox 11 produced a seven (7) part series on Ben Bowen's life and St. Jude Children's Hospital to help raise funds for Saint Jude's via a raffle for the "House That Ben Built." ^[33] This series was first aired in February, 2007. It raised over $800,000.^{[16] [15][34]}

• Ben's Story Website had 87,000 unique hits and 3,100 guestbook signatures by the late Summer of 2004.^[8] As of April, 2007 this website has had over 1,070,532 unique hits and over 14,000 guestbook signatures.^[30]

[edit] See also

• List of notable brain tumor patients

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ben's Story
• Find-A-Grave: Benjamin David "Big Ben" Bowen