Ian | ImpactLife

Tote bag featuring dinosaur artwork designed by Ian

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Carry hope, courage and essentials with this 2-pack of dino-sized totes!

For Childhood Cancer Awareness month, we partnered with childhood cancer fighter, Ian to create art. Durable polyester denier bags have a water-resistant coating.

20"W x 18"H x 8"D

Limited Edition

A donor-supported journey

Ian's Story

From diagnosis to ringing the bell, blood and platelet donations carried Ian Bentz and his family through nearly four years of treatment. This is his timeline.

July 2022

The Fight Begins

Just after his second birthday, Ian Bentz of DeWitt, Illinois was found to have a softball sized malignant tumor. Although doctors knew it was cancer, they were unable to determine the exact diagnosis. Ten months later, the cancer returned aggressively throughout his abdomen and pelvis, and Ian began treatment at OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. Blood and platelet transfusions from our donors became a constant part of keeping him alive.

Child showing port while wearing face mask

Late July 2023

His Community Rallies

Ian's parents, Jonathan and Kristina Bentz, hosted the first Ian the Cancer Wrangler Blood Drive, bringing in 25 donations, the majority from first-time donors. Ian earned the nickname The Cancer Wrangler, often spotted in his Captain America mask and shield, finding bravery during his treatments.

March 2025

Cancer Wrangler 500

Family friends Jimmy and Hillary McFeeters partnered with us to host the Cancer Wrangler 500 Blood Drive, unveiling a custom race car featuring Ian's likeness. His treatment had hit his bone marrow especially hard, requiring continuous blood and platelet infusions. His family described still fighting through complications, with cancer still in his body, but remained hopeful.

October 2025

Bloodline Wheat Launch

Kristina Bentz, who joined the Urbana Associate Board, partnered with Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery in Peoria and Springfield to create Bloodline Wheat, a blood orange wheat ale raising funds for the OSF Children's Hospital Blood and Disorders Institute where Ian was treated.

March 2026

Bloodline Wheat Raises $5,000

The Bloodline Wheat campaign reached a milestone, presenting a $5,000 check to the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute. Kristina Bentz's idea, born from her son's experience, helped other families at the very institute where Ian had been treated.

April 29, 2026

Ian Rang the Bell

In the biggest milestone of his journey, Ian Bentz rang the treatment completion bell, a moment his family wasn't sure they would ever see. After enduring intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and three life-threatening bone marrow transplants, Ian was declared NED, No Evidence of Disease. Blood and platelet transfusions from our donors were a constant lifeline throughout his fight.