An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 22, 2011

Five-year-old cancer survivor reports for duty as a Guard member for a day

By Capt. Elaine Nowak New York National Guard

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - A five-year-old boy who recently battled cancer got the chance to be a Guard member for the day, here Saturday. His day was part of a military-themed experience for the boy that included a bedroom makeover.

Donovan Benzin was selected by a nonprofit charity to receive some special attention. The charity's mission is to "create dream bedrooms for children with life-threatening illnesses." The organization redecorates the child's bedroom in one day and makes arrangements for the family to have a fun time outside of the house while they work. Donovan's wish was for a military-themed room. The charity contacted the 107th Airlift Wing to request a base tour.

"He's totally in love with anything military," said Leah Benzin, Donovan's mother.

Donovan, along with his mother, sister, and great uncle, started their day with a limousine ride to the air base.

Air Force Lt. Col. Gregory Miller, 107th AW pilot, escorted the family around the base. To start, he presented Donovan with a flight jacket, complete with name and unit patches. A flight simulator was available so Donovan could "fly" a C-130 himself. The flight simulator is here temporarily to demonstrate the new cockpit that will eventually be installed in Niagara's C-130s.

Donovan then was able to tour a C-130 aircraft and take a seat in the cockpit. He visited with the flight crew and took it all in.

"He's happy and not thinking about hospitals. He's being a little boy," said Donovan's mother.

Some other highlights of the family's visit were trying out night vision goggles, watching a C-130 practice an airdrop, and a stop in Security Forces.

Donovan said he wants to be a military police officer when he grows up, so he was very excited to visit with the Security Forces members. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Piedmont showed Donovan the weapon's storage area and allowed him to safely hold a few of the weapons. The boy's face glowed as he touched the M-16 and M-240 firearms.

He was diagnosed earlier this year with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer rarely seen in children. He had surgery and aggressive chemotherapy that required a lengthy hospital stay to beat the disease, which is now in remission. His mother says that he is now cancer free and it is likely that he will live a long life.

"This has been so fulfilling. To see everyone who has been involved in this is just great. Buffalo, for being a small city, has a big heart," said Donald Buczek, Donovan's great uncle and godfather.

What was Donovan's favorite part of his day as a Guard member?

"Getting to hold the guns," he said.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...