Dear Mr. Niziak,
I am delighted to thank you and the Marcus Foundation for your most recent gifts to benefit brain tumor research and the Marcus Fund for Families at Massachusetts General Hospital. We are honored to continue to be a part of your son’s legacy in this meaningful way.
Thanks to the foundation’s generosity, Dr. William Curry and his colleagues are equipped with the essential tools and technologies to focus on reaching the next scientific breakthroughs in understanding and treating brain tumors. In addition, the foundation’s philanthropy continues to provide vital assistance for families and children receiving treatment at Mass General, ultimately bringing hope to so many during a difficult time.
In the ever-changing landscape of medicine, we are anchored by loyal friends like the Marcus Foundation. Thank you once again for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Britain W. Nicholson, MD | Senior Vice President
Mass General Development Office
125 Nashua Street, Suite 540 | Boston, MA 02114
giving.massgeneral.org
THE CAMPAIGN FOR
Mass General
Bold Breakthroughs. Compassionate Care. Revolutionary Results.
2023 Foundation Updates
RAFFLE FOR CHANCE TO WIN UP TO $1,500 IN CASH PRIZES
The Marcus Foundation was established in memory of Mark S.Niziak Jr ("Marcus") who died of a brain tumor shortly after his 5th birthday. The purpose of the Foundation is primarily to sponsor brain tumor research being conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital ("MGH"). In addition, the Foundation also supports the Marcus Fund for Families, which was established to help defray the cost to families with children being treated at MGH for brain tumors and other neurological diseases.
Replicating our past golf tournament program, click on the following link for Foundation updates from:
Dr. William T Curry, Chief Medical Officer MGH, Director Neurosurgical Oncology, discussing the amazing progress being made in the treatment of brain tumors;
Dr. Amy Armstrong-Javors, Pediatric Neurologist, discussing the many families assisted by the Marcus Fund for Families; and
Jackie MacMullan, the legendary sports writer, and good friend of the foundation, offering her unique perspective of the Boston sports scene.
I think you would agree that it is truly gratifying to see what your support has accomplished. However the battle continues and we are reaching out to you today to ask that you continue to support the Foundation so we can continue to provide these much needed grants.
While a contribution in any amount is greatly appreciated, as an incentive, we are offering three cash prize giveaways in the amount of $500, $1,000 and $1,500. To be eligible to win a cash prize, you must contribute a minimum of $25. However, as an added incentive to increase your contribution, for every $100 contributed to the Foundation, you will receive 10 chances to win a prize. For example, a contribution of $300 would result in 30 entries to win one of the cash prizes.
Contributions made be made online by clicking below or by check mailed to:
Marcus Foundation
c/o Mark Niziak
7 Cutler Street
Hopedale Ma 01747
The three winners will be announced on April 30, 2024 via email and on our Facebook page, so please make sure you are enrolled in our mailing list and follow us on Facebook. To do so, click the links below:
Join Our Mailing List
Facebook Page Link
If you are on Facebook, we ask that you visit the page and both "like" and "share" it .
Our goal is to increase this year's grant by $20,000. To do so, we will need to expand our audience so we ask that you send this communication to family and friends and encourage them to participate.
Thank you for your past support and hopefully you will be able to assist us in continuing the battle that Marcus so valiantly fought.
Sincerely,
Mark Niziak
President, The Marcus Fund
Update: Marcus Fund for Families
As we reported earlier, The Marcus Fund for Families (the "Fund") is now under the auspices of Dr. Armstrong - Javors . The Fund is designed to help families with children being treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital for brain tumors and other neurological diseases to offset certain incidental expenses associated with their care. Dr. Armstrong-Javors has recently provided me with three Marcus Fund vignettes which I am pleased to share below:
G, an 11 year old boy who loves to swim, recently experienced recurrence of his tumor years after completion of chemotherapy. He is now undergoing another round of chemotherapy and his tumor has left him blind and with cognitive difficulties. G lives with his young single mother and has limited resources, so she was so happy to learn that we would be able to provide meal tickets and gas money for their weekly trips to the clinic through the Marcus Fund.
B, a 3 year old boy who loves action heroes, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and has undergone surgery, radiation therapy, and now chemotherapy. His hair is finally growing back and he is starting to talk more. B is a feisty kid and full of energy who lives with his grandmother far from the hospital. Through the Marcus Fund, we were able to provide gas cards and parking passes to the MGH garage.
M, a 10 year old boy who recently emigrated to America, was diagnosed with a brain tumor which has worsened despite treatment. M has trouble talking and walking but loves going to school and especially loves soccer. He is always smiling. The Marcus Fund was able to provide meal tickets and parking passes to help his family with weekly expenses around his care.
I am sure that you will agree that it is truly gratifying to hear such stories. While the Marcus Fund has been able to assist many such families , there are so many others needing our assistance. Accordingly, we ask that you continue to support the Marcus Foundation so that we are able to continue the battle that Marcus so valiantly fought.
Look for the announcement concerning our Fall Raffle in early September which we hope that you will share with friends and family. As always, any donations are greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Mark Niziak
President, The Marcus Fund
Marcus Foundation Update: We Need Your Assistance This Fall
Marcus Foundation Contributions Continue
A few weeks ago, we would normally just be completing another Marcus Foundation Golf Tournament in perfect weather. It is an experience we have all shared for the past 30 years.
However, as you should all know by now, last year's tournament was the final one. It was a very difficult decision, but the right one for a myriad of reasons, some very personal. Although the tournament itself has ended, the causes for which we have gathered these many years remain. Accordingly, the Foundation will continue to support both brain tumor research being conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital (“MGH”) and the Marcus Fund for Families, which was established by the Foundation to help defray the cost to families with children being treated at MGH for brain tumors and other neurological diseases.
Below are updates from MGH to highlight the progress made due to the support of the Marcus Foundation:
On the brain tumor research side:
The year’s support has advanced the work of Dr. Bryan Choi, whom some of you may remember from our 2021 tournament. Dr. Choi is an attending neurosurgeon in the Department of Neurosurgery at Mass General and specializes in surgical care for patients with benign and malignant brain tumors. Dr. Choi leads a research laboratory with the goal of developing the next generation of cell therapies (e.g., Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells or CAR T cells), and translating these into new clinical trials for patients with brain tumors at MGH. Dr. Choi also has a special focus on investigating mechanisms of resistance to immune therapy for solid tumors like glioblastoma, such as antigen heterogeneity and the harsh associated immune-suppressive environment associated with these tumors. A recent feature of his work can be found here: https://advances.massgeneral.org/neuro/article.aspx?id=1486
On the Fund for Families:
The fund continues to provide critical support to families in need facing a brain tumor diagnosis and navigating the complexities of treatment. With the forthcoming retirement of Dr. Elizabeth Dooling, Marcus’ primary doctor more than 30 years ago, we are happy to share that Dr. Amy Armstrong-Javors will be assuming oversight of the Fund for Families. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Dr. Armstrong-Javors completed her Pediatric Neurology Residency at Mass General, where she was recruited to remain on staff. Dr. Armstrong-Javors is now a specialist in Pediatric Neurology, serving as an Instructor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, the Attending Physician of the Inpatient Pediatric Neurology Service and also as the Creator/Director of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Pediatric Rehabilitation Elective. In 2015, she ran the Boston Marathon for the Mass General Hospital Pediatric Cancer Team, raising critical funds for Mass General’s youngest cancer patients. Dr. Armstrong-Javors extends her sincere gratitude for the Marcus Foundation’s commitment to easing the financial burden of pediatric brain tumor patient’s families, which continues to make a positive impact in the lives of those receiving care at MGH.
I think you would agree that it's truly gratifying to see what your support has accomplished. However, the battle continues and so we are reaching out to you today to ask that you continue to support the Foundation so we can continue our efforts to provide these much needed grants.
You can make a contribution to the Foundation online at our recently redesigned website (www.marcus.foundation) or by check mailed to:
Marcus Foundation
c/o Mark Niziak
7 Cutler Street
Hopedale Ma 01747
While a contribution in any amount would be greatly appreciated, as an incentive, if you contribute a minimum of $100, you will receive a newly-designed Marcus Foundation golf hat and also be entered to win a foursome at the Franklin Country Club. Moreover, if you contribute more than $100, for each $100 increment, you will receive an additional chance to return to play at Franklin Country Club. The winner of the drawing will be announced on January 15, 2023 via email and on our Facebook page. If you are currently not receiving email updates from the Foundation, please go to our website and click on Join Our Mailing List at the footer of the website. You'll also want to be sure to follow our recently launched Marcus Foundation Facebook page, also accessible from the footer of our website. If you are on Facebook, we ask that you visit the page and both “like” and “share” it.
Click Here to Contribute & a Chance to Win a Foursome at Franklin Country Club
Thank you for your past support and hopefully you will be able to once again assist us in continuing the battle that Marcus so valiantly fought.
Sincerely,
Mark S. Niziak Sr.
President, The Marcus Foundation