Soderberg Family Benefit

A Letter from our Brother Wesley Soderberg:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My name is Wes Soderberg. I am a Millwright in Local 548. In my early childhood I was

diagnosed with a disease called Cutaneous mastocytosis, which unfortunately is incurable.

Late last fall after many trips to the ER, I had to take a leave of absence from work. Most days I have little

to no energy, my new normal changes weekly and I struggle to complete daily tasks. I have

seen multiple specialists throughout the years, and still have many unanswered questions about

my disease.

To complicate matters, my wife has been unable to work since 2020 because our two children,

Liam (12) and Whitley (9) both needed a year of chemotherapy for inoperable brain tumors in

correlation to a hereditary disease called Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1). Neurofibromatosis is a

disease where tumors grow along the nerves. Natalie, my wife, also has NF1 but never had

brain tumors. Liam was able to complete chemotherapy in 2021 after an initial round in 2014. In

the fall of 2021, Whitley’s MRI scan showed no improvement, and it was advised she continue onto

another year of chemotherapy. Both of my children have upcoming scans at the Mayo Clinic

and we are hopeful for a good outcome, though some of Whitley’s symptoms are concerning.

The road we have been on in recent months (and years, really) has been a bumpy one. It is not

an easy thing to ask for help. My family and I are grateful for any help you can offer in support.

Host or Publisher Jason Krech, Ashley Hansen, Millwrights Local 548