Family needs help

Husband died, widow is alone with two children

A picture of the happy family, the community is now collecting money for the widow.(Bild: zVg)

The 28-year-old father of the family, Markus, died of a rare form of cancer. The family bought a small house in Pötting (Upper Austria) years ago and completely renovated it. But now the old roof urgently needs to be replaced. The community and the parish have now launched a fundraising campaign.

"It's very unusual. You try to fight your way back into everyday life, but it's not easy. We were diagnosed in March 2023, but unfortunately you can't adjust to it," says Madlene. On April 7, the 27-year-old lost her beloved husband Markus. The 28-year-old trained bricklayer died from an insidious and very rare form of cancer - CIC DUX4 Sarcoma.

"At soccer training camp, Markus had problems with his thigh and later his foot went numb. He was only the 19th case in Austria with this disease. The doctors said that he had a maximum of four years to live, normally only one," explains the young mother of two. Son Luca is five years old and daughter Hannah is just one and a half.

"Markus always wanted to be with the children"
Seven years ago, the couple bought a property in Pötting (Grieskirchen district). "Over the past few years, they have renovated and converted their shared home with a great deal of effort and diligence. However, it is now particularly important to urgently replace the entire roof. The façade also needs work," explains Mayor Peter Oberlehner.

Markus was a valuable member of the community and a very good and hard-working family man. He did a lot of work around the house.

Peter Oberlehner, Bürgermeister von Pötting

The community and parish therefore launched a fundraising campaign for the family. "Markus' greatest wish was always to be at home with the children and in the garden with them," recalls Madlene. "I am infinitely grateful for the support, the roof would have helped us a lot. There are also other families who need help."

Donation account: Raiffeisenbank Region Grieskirchen
IBAN: AT87 3473 6000 0184 7722
Keyword: New roof for the Ortis