Mark Brennan - Neuroendocrine Tumor Research

In honor of Mark, and his upcoming birthday on November 19th, I am raising funds to support research and awareness of Neuroendocrine Cancers. This rare disease is underfunded from a research perspective. There is not a truly viable, long-term cure. Even those who are lucky enough to be in remission are often only there for a very short time.

Mark was initially diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer. After 18 months of treatments and surgeries, he was declared cancer free. Nine short months later, he had what was thought to be a recurrence, but ultimately was diagnosed as small cell neuroendocrine cancer. Sadly, he never really got into remission.

Mark and I talked a lot about life "after cancer" when he started his battle almost three years ago. I know one of the things he wanted to do was give back to others living with cancer. We talked about volunteering at children's cancer centers and participating in fundraisers and charity walks together. His time was cut so very short. He was never able to help support this cause in the way he wanted to. Now I will do it in his memory and honor him by asking our friends and family to help.

Funds raised will be donated, in Mark's name, directly to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, and any donation will help make an impact.

The mission of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation is to fund research to discover cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. They work to address the lack of funding research on carcinoid, pancreatic, and related neuroendocrine cancers, as well as the lack of educational resources.

This Foundation was started in 2005 by a woman who was diagnosed with the same disease at only 29 years old. She recognized the importance of governmental funding and pharmaceutical industry attention to rare diseases. Her legacy continues in the work and research that continues today.

NETRF is the largest private funder of NET research, with the goal of curing these diseases. Since its inception in 2005, NETRF has awarded over $36 million in large-scale, multi-year research grants to leading scientists at renowned research institutions. NETRF has established itself as the leading and most efficient not-for-profit funder of neuroendocrine cancer research.

Please join me in honoring Mark's courageous fight with this terrible disease. I know it would mean so much to him and it means the world to me.

Mark, you are remembered, never forgotten and always loved.