Mark Linder Walk for the Mind recently donated a record $135,000 for brain tumor and brain cancer research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. This donation combined funds raised from two key events – the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind and The Mayor’s Roast benefit.
The Walk for the Mind 2018 fundraiser included 1,000 participants along the Peoria Riverfront.
The Walk for the Mind was one of the recipient charities from the Mayor’s Roast, hosted by Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. Proceeds from both events were included in the donation.
In an effort to reach out to brain tumor and cancer survivors and help raise funds for research, Mark Linder founded the Walk for the Mind in 2003. That first walk attracted over 150 walkers and raised about $12,000 for research programs. While Mark died in 2005 at age 31 from brain cancer, the Walk continues – coordinated entirely by volunteers, many of whom themselves are brain cancer survivors.
All funds raised support research at the College of Medicine in Peoria toward understanding the mechanisms that make brain cancers and tumors grow and invade healthy tissue. The $135,000 raised this year was presented during a March reception at the College of Medicine.
To date, the organization has raised nearly $650,000 for brain cancer research since the Walk began in 2003.
This year, the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Learn more about the Walk by visiting www.marklinderwalkforthemind.org.
Did you know?
- Nearly 700,000 Americans are living with brain tumors today. There are over 120 different types.
- Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer related deaths in children under age 10 and males 20-39. They are the second fastest growing cause of cancer related deaths for those over age 65.