When Arkansas business owner Brandon Benoit, 35, went to the doctor regarding a football injury, he never expected the news he would receive.  Doctors examined Brandon's broken ribs, but what they found was much more concerning: a severe build-up of fluid around his abdomen.

Now, doctors have confirmed that Brandon has a rare case of mesothelioma called malignant peritoneal epithelial mesothelioma.  This variety of the disease accounts for about 15% of mesothelioma cases.  With mesothelioma, fluid build-up usually occurs around the chest and lungs, but in Brandon's case, the majority is located around his abdomen.  There are only a handful of doctors nationwide qualified to treat Brandon's rare case. 

Most mesothelioma patients are between 50 and 70 years old because the disease's latency period is so great.  Brandon is young to have been diagnosed; he suspects that he was exposed to asbestos before age five.  But like he does with his football opponents, Brandon is determined to tackle the cancer.  Because it was detected early, doctors are confident they can treat the mesothelioma with surgeries and chemotherapy.  The treatment schedule is demanding and expensive; the plan requires nine flights and hotel stays in New York City, all out of the couple's pockets.  They are looking into available travel resources.

To read the rest of Brandon's story, go here.