Mark's Story
What began as a normal summer vacation for 12-year-old Mark Staehely turned out to be the beginning of an extraordinary journey, leading Mark to accomplish more in the final six years of his life than most of us aspire to in an entire lifetime.On June 16, 2000 Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Over the next six years he endured three surgeries, stem cell replacement, and endless rounds of chemo and radiation therapy, as well as countless blood and platelet transfusions, but spent every day making the most of the time he had, with his positive attitude being the driving force in his survival.
Read more about Mark’s story here
Read the 2009 Newsletter
Foundation Objectives
The Make Your Mark Foundation was founded to honor the memory of Mark, with the hope that we can always carry on the ideals and events that were so important to him. It has four Primary Objectives:- To raise funds and awareness for research into new treatments and cures for pediatric cancers, with an emphasis on neuroblastoma.
- To insure continued funding of the Mark Staehely Treasure Chest Program at Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
- To raise funds for the Mark Staehely Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- To provide support and encouragement to children and families in their time of need.
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