The Marcus Foundation

The Marcus Foundation refers to three different foundations. The Marcus Niziak Childhood Brain Tumor Fund (see below); The Grace R. and Alan D. Marcus Foundation and The Marcus Foundation. The latter Foundation funds and partners with organizations that are making a difference in the delivery of community food resources or are expanding the understanding and implementation of sustainability.

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.

Mark S. Niziak, Jr. ("Marcus") was born on August 29, 1985. Two years later, he was diagnosed with an ependymoma, 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 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.

The creation and continuance of The Marcus Foundation has been made possible by the support of the people involved, including Dr. Cynthia S. Kretschmar, Dr. Elizabeth Dooling, Frank Bailey, Joyce Leach, Bradley Niziak, Larry and Claire Wilson. Organizations such as The Red Sox and Sunlife Financial have also been instrumental in supporting The Foundation.

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