It's a devastating blow to be told you have cancer. After beating it, try to imagine two years later being told you have it again.

Those are the blows that have been dealt to Danny Franks, 38, of Effort.But through it all, his wife Crystal says Danny is upbeat and determined to lick cancer again.Two years ago at the age of 35, Danny learned he had renal cell kidney cancer. He thought he was having gall bladder issues and when he went for tests, it was found he had a mass on his left kidney. The kidney and his gall bladder were removed in May of 2011. He recovered well enough to be back at work in three months.Earlier this year, he went through tests, thinking he had an ulcer. Instead, a mass was found at the base where his esophagus met his stomach.A treatment of six weeks of chemo therapy and radiation was prescribed. A port became infected and he developed MRSA, a serious staph infection, and the chemo/radiation had to be stopped after only three weeks. He was hospitalized for a week and was treated with antibiotics. Then they put a PICC line in his left arm, which developed an infection. The PICC line was moved to his right arm. Finally, everything cleared up and he went in for surgery on Oct. 10.The surgery removed the entire esophagus. Surgeons stretched his stomach all the way up to his throat to form a new esophagus.During the surgery, his only kidney shut down and he was on dialysis for a week. It was restarted and it has been working well since, but after he was off dialysis, he developed pneumonia and almost a liter of fluid had been drained from each lung.The surgery was like receiving a gastric bypass, which has made his stomach smaller. He has only been receiving nourishment through a feeding tube since the surgery. Once he is reintroduced to eating, he will have to learn how to eat again, eating six to eight small meals a day instead of three. He has to be tested to see if he can swallow before they begin to give him any kind of food. For now, he can swish flavored water around in his mouth, but it has to be sucked out.Since he finally left the hospital, he has been going to rehabilitation to help build up his strength.Despite everything, Crystal says Danny is in good spirits."He just wants to beat it," she says.He has a lot of incentive in the form of his wife, their two sons, Zachary, 8 and Logan, 6, family and friends."We have an amazing family and friends. They're always there to help with the boys, keeping them busy," says Crystal.Their family and friends are putting together a benefit to help with the medical bills Danny's illness has incurred. He has insurance through his employer, Roto Rooter, but there are still bills after insurance pays its share, such as a radiation bill for over $90,000.The benefit will begin at noon Saturday at the West End Volunteer Fire Company in Brodheadsville. There will be a tricky tray, a 50/50, a bake sale, face painting and a DJ for dancing. Some of the prizes that can be won include four tickets to Great Wolf Lodge water park and a three day/two night stay at Cove Haven. The cost is $5 admission for anyone 18 and older.If anyone would like to donate items for the Tricky Tray and bake sale, call 570-236-4272. If you would like tickets, contact Ron Franks at 570-656-5171.Donations may be made to "Benefits for Danny Franks," an account at Citizens Bank.Cards may be sent to Danny at 1503 Upper Valley Road, Effort, PA 18330.