Marcel Bendorf was on his way to the movies when the pain in his lower back and legs became so intense he couldn't sit up or stand. He was 7 years old. What followed was an emergency-room visit, days of testing, and a diagnosis that would upend his family's life for the next two years, two months and 23 days: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
Now 11, Marcel is celebrating one year cancer-free, according to KCRA. The Sacramento family's milestone comes as Marcel prepares to be recognized as the 2026 Honored Hero at Light the Night, an event hosted by Blood Cancer United that celebrates survivors, honors people impacted by blood cancer, and remembers those who have died. Marcel and his father, Christopher Bendorf, appeared on KCRA 3 Friday morning to share his story ahead of the event.
A Diagnosis That Reshaped Childhood
For more than two years, Marcel endured treatment, setbacks and uncertainty, the station reports. The ordeal began with symptoms severe enough to leave him unable to stand, a detail that underscores how abruptly childhood leukemia can disrupt an otherwise ordinary day, like an outing to see a movie.
Medical context helps explain both the gravity of that diagnosis and the hope behind Marcel's recovery. The overall five-year survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is about 90%, according to the American Cancer Society, which measures the percentage of children who live at least five years after diagnosis. The organization notes that age at diagnosis and initial white blood cell count are considered the two most important prognostic factors for the disease, and that survival rates for childhood ALL have increased over time.
Thousands Expected At Sutter Health Park
Marcel and his family will join thousands of others at Light the Night, which begins with a ceremony at 6:45 p.m. on October 24 at Sutter Health Park, located at 400 Ballpark Drive in West Sacramento. The event is free, but registration is required.
Blood Cancer United, formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, uses the funds raised through Light the Night to support blood cancer research, free information and support services, and advocacy for access to care, according to the organization's event page. Registration itself is free, though walkers are encouraged to raise funds, with those who collect at least $100 recognized as Champions for Cures and those who raise $1,000 or more honored as Bright Lights. Blood Cancer United has set a goal of enabling people with blood cancer to gain more than one million years of life by 2040.
One Family's Fight, A Broader Mission
For the Bendorfs, the night at Sutter Health Park will mark a full-circle moment, from a child too sick to stand up at the movies to a boy stepping into the spotlight as a symbol of survival. Registration and information for the October 24 event are available through Blood Cancer United's Sacramento event listing.
