Rock Falls man awaits bone marrow transplant: Father of two diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma

ROCK FALLS – Nine months after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, a Rock Falls father is still awaiting a bone marrow donor match.

Mark Rowzee, 39, was diagnosed in February with T-cell lymphoma. His wife, Jennifer, said Tuesday that nothing about his state of health or diagnosis has changed, but Mark is back to work at Sterling Steel.

“People have been wonderful,” she said, praising his co-workers for their continuing compassion.

Fellow employees Junior Packer, Dave Gallardo and Mike Modler sponsored a bone marrow transplant screening on Mark’s behalf in May, and they continue to collect donations to help the family with medical bills.

The couple have two children: Kennedy, 3; and John, 10 months.

Mark still is being monitored and undergoing further testing, Jennifer said. And he still needs a donor.

To donate

Those who want to see whether they are a match for Mark can find information online at www.marrow.org, on the National Marrow Donor Program registry Web site.