First Survivor (ePub)

Imagine being told on Thanksgiving Day that your 3-year old son has Neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly childhood cancer. Imagine being told your baby boy had "zero chance of survival". Mark and Mary Ellen Unger lived this frightening nightmare for over five years before an incredible medical breakthrough saved their son's life. The Unger's story will encourage anyone going through such an ordeal to fully engage in their treatment and strongly advocate for their loved ones who are facing medical hardships. Mark now says, "My message is this: There are no dead ends, only new paths."

Immediately after their diagnosis, the Unger family began the impossible battle to save their son Louis's life. By learning how to confront the complex medical world their family had been thrown into, Mark and Mary Ellen were forced to overcome intense adversity just to advocate for their son. Louis, although just 3 at the time, showed amazing courage and determination to live. This first book by father and author, Mark Unger, was born from his burning desire to document their incredible journey of heartbreak and ultimate triumph. It will be an inspiration to those dealing with unimaginable medical hurdles either themselves or in their families.

Mark Unger was born and raised in Solingen, Germany, where his mother and father owned a cutlery manufacturing business. In 1978 the family moved to the United States and Mark attended high school in Weston, CT, a picturesque town about an hour from New York City. Following graduation, he attended Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and later joined his family's cutlery business. In 1994 he married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Delaney. Their first son Harry was born in 1996 followed by Louis in 1998. Today, Mark and his family live in Bethany, Connecticut where he is a Director and Owner of his family business, Unger Global, and active in a number of charities. Mark and Mary Ellen enjoy traveling