For the past nine (9) years members of our community have come to know and love Philip Arena as an energetic and passionate voice for the work of the Salt Lake City Mission. He was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2007 and underwent extensive surgery on May 17th at the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City.

Unfortunately Phil lost his medical insurance due to the increased demands for the mission to service the homeless during the Winter Olympics. In order to continue to serve the needs of the poor Phil and the rest of the staff took pay cuts, freezes in wages, loss of insurance, and all other benefits.

He continued to work in a sacrificial way. As a matter of fact Phil (a loving husband and father of four young children) has turned down job offers that would pay much more. His heart and the heart of his family is continue to help the homeless through the work of the mission.

The final cost of all of his medical bills will approximate upwards of $300,000. The Huntsman Cancer Center and University Hospital have committed to match all donations toward this bill on a dollar for dollar basis. This means we need to raise at least $150,000 to clear this account.