Massachusetts General Hospital Grants Update & Future Support

On June 2nd, Marcus Foundation Board Members, Frank Bailey, Drew Niziak and Mark Niziak met with representatives from the Massachusetts General Hospital ( "MGH") to discuss the recent grants extended by the Foundation and the plans for future such support . 

There are two main initiatives of the Foundation: namely, (i) the support of brain tumor research being conducted at MGH, and (ii) the Marcus Fund for Families, which was established by the Foundation to help defray the incidental costs to families with children being treated at MGH for brain tumors and other neurological diseases. 

With respect to brain tumor research, we were honored to meet with William T. Curry, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Massachusetts General Hospital and MGPO, Director, Neurological Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, MGH, Adeline Rose Wydotis Professor of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, as well as Bryan Choi, MD, PHD, Associate Director, Center for Brain Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology. Participants in the Marcus Foundation Golf Tournament may recall hearing from both Dr. Curry and Dr. Choi at past events. At that meeting, we were encouraged to hear that amazing progress is being made in the treatment of brain tumors and that Dr. Curry will be preparing a video update later this year for supporters of the Marcus Foundation.

We also had the pleasure to meet Dr. Amy Armstrong-Javors, Pediatric Neurologist, Mass General for Children, Instructor, Department of Neurology, who recently assumed auspices of the Marcus Fund for Families. It was truly gratifying to hear how the Fund for Families has impacted the lives of so many children being treated at MGH and their families. Dr. Armstrong-Javors also provided us with several Marcus Fund vignettes which we will be sharing in the near future. Like Dr. Curry, she will be preparing a video update to be used in conjunction with our Fall Fund Raising Event/Raffle. Details to be announced via email and on our website in September.   

Dr. Curry

Dr. Choi

Dr. Armstrong-Javors

In the effort to replicate our past golf tournaments,  we also hope to provide video updates from Dan Shaughnessy and/or Jackie MacMullan as part of our Fall fundraising event.

We hope that we can count on your support later this year, as our goal is to increase the amount of our annual grant to MGH, as we were truly inspired to learn of the magnitude of the impact that the Marcus Foundation has had. In the interim, if you have any questions, or wish to make a donation, please click below:

Thank you,

Mark Niziak 
President, the Marcus Foundation

34th Annual Tony C Open

On May 25th, the Cellucci Family held the 34th Annual Tony C Open at the Easton Country Club. The  tournament  is  held in memory of their father. Once again, the Marcus Foundation was honored to be the designated beneficiary. We are truly grateful  to the Cellucci Family for their continued support.

Pictured is Mark Niziak and the Cellucci Brothers

Compelling Brain Tumor Facts

COMPELLING BRAIN TUMOR FACTS*

Approximately 5.7% of all primary brain tumors occur in children and adolescents, ages 0-19 years

Brain tumors are the most common cancer in children and adolescents

Infants less than one year of age have the highest incidence of brain tumors of all children and adolescents

An estimated 5,230 new cases of primary brain tumors in children and adolescents  will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023

Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related  death among children  and adolescents

It was estimated in 2009, that a total of 47,631.5 years of  potential life were lost  due to  brain tumors in children and adolescents in the U.S.

* From the National Brain Tumor Society

Marcus Foundation Supports Dr. Will Curry in Groundbreaking Research

Thank you to all who contributed to the Marcus Foundation. Your donations were able to support Dr. Will Curry’s research and provides assitance for those facing financial difficulties. Please see the letter we received from Massachusetts General Hospital:

Dear Mr. Niziak,

Thank you and the Marcus Foundation for your ongoing commitment to Massachusetts General Hospital. We are proud to help honor the memory of your beloved son.

With your generous investment, Dr. Will Curry can further his groundbreaking research, leading to improved clinical outcomes. Your partnership also provides assistance to the families of our youngest patients, ensuring that financial restrictions do not limit access to world-class care.

Mass General is truly fortunate to have partners like you dedicated to building a healthier future for all. Thank you again for your gift and many years of support.

Sincerely,

Michael McNally

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