The 14th Annual Mark Linder Walk for the Mind raised $50,000 in September for brain cancer research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
About 750 people, including about 50 brain cancer survivors, participated in the September 24 event held along the Peoria Riverfront. To date, the organization has raised about $550,000 for brain cancer research since the Walk began in 2003.
In an effort to reach out to brain cancer survivors and help raise funds for brain cancer 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 grow and invade healthy tissue. The $50,000 raised this year was presented during a reception Tuesday at the College of Medicine.
This year, the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. 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.
- Almost 78,000 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year. Over 1/3 of those will be diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor (rapidly growing, invasive and life threatening).
- 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.