PALESTINE — Palestine resident Dennis Ellison, 46, was diagnosed with two types of lymphoma on his 17th wedding anniversary last December. Today, he faces rounds of chemotherapy, other cancer treatments and doctor visits to fight the large cell lymphoma and MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma that also is present in his bone marrow. “We’re lucky to have him. He has a very positive attitude — basically, he’s been our rock,” wife Misty Ellison said during an interview. “He’s a great guy, a great father and he’s been a real trooper. He has held us up and kept his faith for what he has been going through.” Bon Appetit Coffee Shop and Bakery, located in the Palestine Mall, will host its monthly Christian music Community Night benefit this Thursday as a fund-raiser for the Ellison family’s medical expenses. The Community Night event will feature Christian music from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition to the donations received during the fundraiser, Bon Appetit will donate 10 percent of its proceeds to the Ellisons. “Please come out and enjoy the free entertainment, great food and food fellowship, and encourage the Ellisons through this difficult time,” Peggy Marchant of Bon Appetit said. The Ellisons have a 16-year-old son, Caleb, a junior at Palestine High School who just started concurrent college courses. Dennis Ellison works as a commissary assistant manager for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Powledge Unit. His wife works for Key Energy. “Dennis has kept a very positive attitude and as a family kept the laughter and kept it upbeat for our son,” Misty Ellison said. “Even though there are days that are hard, we still try to look up and keep moving in a positive direction, knowing there is a higher power and God is in control.” The Ellisons make frequent trips to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas for cancer treatments and doctor visits. His next round of chemotherapy will start in October. He could possible have a bone marrow transplant in the future. The family does have health insurance, but the out-of-pocket medical expenses, travel and time off work has made it difficult on the Ellisons. “I haven’t been at my job a year, so I don’t have vacation time, but our employers have been very good about letting us take off,” Misty Ellison said. “They have worked with me extensively, sometimes a week at a time when we have to stay for a week in Dallas.” The Ellisons attend Crockett Road Church of Christ in Palestine. “They have been very good to support us as well — it’s been pretty amazing,” Misty Ellison said gratefully. An account (Benefit for Dennis Ellison) has been set up at Austin Bank in Palestine (Austin Bank, 2745 S. Loop 256, Palestine, TX 75801) for the family’s medical expenses as well. “We’re blessed even though it’s a bad situation. It opens your eyes that there are so many people out there that do care, that the world is not a bad place to live,” Misty Ellison said. “We are more than grateful and more than appreciative for the help we have received. Words don’t express how we are thankful for the love, support and prayer. It has kept us going.” For more information about the Ellison benefit at Bon Appetit, call Bon Appetit at 903-729-8646.