The Marcus Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Marcus Foundation, the Marcus Niziak Childhood Brain Tumor Fund, is a public foundation established in memory of Mark S. Niziak, Jr. ("Marcus") who died of a brain tumor shortly after his fifth birthday. The purpose of The Foundation is to promote and fund clinical research relating to the treatment of childhood brain tumors.
, a tumor
that arises from the ependyma
. Following his diagnosis, Marcus had his first surgery in June 1987. After which, he started his first round of chemotherapy
. From September to December, he underwent a round of radiation. Finally, in the year 1988 it seemed as though the tumor had gone away.
However, by the end of 1988, the cancer returned. At the age of three, Marcus was admitted to the Children's Hospital in Boston for his second surgery. The surgery lasted sixteen hours and was followed by more chemotherapy and a linear accelerator treatment at Brigham and the Women's Hospital in Boston.
In June 1990, Marcus was transferred to New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
to undergo an autologous bone marrow transplant, but the treatment was unsuccessful and Marcus died on September 20, 1990.
The most important fundraising event that The Foundation holds is the Annual Golf Tournament. It typically begins with a quick lunch, followed by a tee-off. Throughout the duration of the Tournament, refreshments are brought out to the players. Players are separated into four person teams to play a scramble game of golf. In the evening, the event is concluded with a banquet, raffle and silent auction.
Mark S. Niziak, Jr. ("Marcus")
Mark S. Niziak, Jr. ("Marcus") was born on August 29, 1985. Two years later, he was diagnosed with an ependymomaEpendymoma
Ependymoma is a tumor that arises from the ependyma, a tissue of the central nervous system. Usually, in pediatric cases the location is intracranial, while in adults it is spinal. The common location of intracranial ependymoma is the fourth ventricle...
, a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
that arises from the ependyma
Ependyma
Ependyma is the thin epithelial membrane lining the ventricular system of the brain and the spinal cord. Ependyma is one of the four types of neuroglia in the central nervous system. It is involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid ....
. Following his diagnosis, Marcus had his first surgery in June 1987. After which, he started his first round of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
. From September to December, he underwent a round of radiation. Finally, in the year 1988 it seemed as though the tumor had gone away.
However, by the end of 1988, the cancer returned. At the age of three, Marcus was admitted to the Children's Hospital in Boston for his second surgery. The surgery lasted sixteen hours and was followed by more chemotherapy and a linear accelerator treatment at Brigham and the Women's Hospital in Boston.
In June 1990, Marcus was transferred to New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
to undergo an autologous bone marrow transplant, but the treatment was unsuccessful and Marcus died on September 20, 1990.
Fundraising
The Marcus Foundation is able to fund clinical research and build medical rooms because of the contributions of individuals, corporations, families, and public and corporate foundations. The Foundation accepts both monetary and value-in-kind donations, and organizes various fundraisers throughout the year.The most important fundraising event that The Foundation holds is the Annual Golf Tournament. It typically begins with a quick lunch, followed by a tee-off. Throughout the duration of the Tournament, refreshments are brought out to the players. Players are separated into four person teams to play a scramble game of golf. In the evening, the event is concluded with a banquet, raffle and silent auction.