Pocono News Section

Benefit for Dunmore Mailman Battling Cancer

Benefit for Dunmore Mailman Battling Cancer - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 11:13PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 @ 11:13pm EST

DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Kate Ogden's life hit a bump right after college. "We honestly have faith in God that through it all. He's in control."

Things turned upside down in June when Kate's dad, Bill Ogden, was diagnosed with advanced acute leukemia. Many know Bill better as "The Dunmore Mailman."

"I think it's quite a blessing that people he's made relationships with, all these people come and support him," David Ogden, Bill's son, said. With his wife, Elyse, at his side, Bill recently had a successful bone marrow transplant at Fox Chase Medical Center near Philadelphia.

At home, friends and Bill's five children are pulling for him. But medical bills are piling up.

Church members at Grace Bible in Dunmore stepped up to the plate with a fundraising dinner. "We didn't know how many people would come. A lot of people would do anything to help us and it means so much to our family and my dad and everything," Kelly Ogden said.

Tickets for the dinner quickly ran out, meaning more than 600 had come forward to help out the Ogdens. "So we just rushed out, called some places that we need more food and sent people to get it and we're really excited," Brenda Tarr, a volunteer with Grace Bible Church, said. Church members said it took only a couple weeks to plan to dinner.

At a time when one family needed the most help, a community showed its heart for a man who's brought them their mail for 27 years. If all goes as planned, Bill should spend the next two months in Philadelphia close to Fox Chase Medical Center. As far as his family is concerned, they admit "God is control."

If you would like to help the Ogden family, you can send donations to:

"Friends of Bill Ogden"
Wachovia Bank
1105 O'Neill Highway
Dunmore, PA 18512