Mark Bannister

Former British Solider, Mark Bannister, age 37, from Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, England, died on June 4, 2012.

Mark died after a 9 year battle with a cancerous brain tumour.

Mark had served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia during nine years of service in the army.

Mark received chemotherapy treatment that did not work and was told that he needed the drug "Avastin". But the British National Health Service denied him this medication for 6 months. He eventually received the Avastin treatment, but it was too late.

I am a drug company Executive.
I want $32,600. for 20 injections.

The reason for the delay in treatment was that this drug costs 21,000 British pounds for a 10 month course of treatment and the National Health Service is reluctant to give it out and to spend the money. This would be approximately $32,600. U.S. dollars.

It is tragic that Britain has $65 Billion U.S. dollars per year to spend on military activities but is hard-pressed to spend $32,600. to save or prolong a soldier's life. 

Of course, this drug "Avastin" is not worth $32,600. No drug is. This is price gouging and greed by the drug companies, who claim that they need this money in order to fund research. When in reality, they really need this money to pay their executives huge salaries and their share-holders huge profits on their investments.

Family members stated that Mark had written his children letters saying how much he loves them and how he is sorry he won’t get to see them grow up.  His wife also stated that "He was such a loving husband and father, there was nothing he wouldn’t have done for his family. People often complain about the smallest things, but Mark never once complained, he was so brave."

Jesus, pray for Mark and for
his children, who have lost their
father.

Mark is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife, Karen; and his two children - Sophie (age 7) and Thomas (age 5).

God save us from the greedy corporations and the war-like governments. Amen.

Pray for all who die young and who linger and suffer. Amen.

Let us pray that Mark Bannister is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.