Help Support Mark & Keeley Through Mark’s Cancer Journey

Keeley here! I am Mark's partner and have become his caregiver as needed over the last year.

Here is a bit about Mark and our journey:

Mark is a creative, a writer, a walking encyclopedia, a movie buff, robot nerd, and the strongest person I know.

At fifteen years old, he beat the odds and overcame Stage 4 Osteosarcoma—a childhood cancer with a tough prognosis. Now, years later, he is facing an even more complex battle: Stage 4 melanoma that has now likely progressed to leptomeningeal disease (LMD), a rare and aggressive spread of cancer to the spinal fluid. He will begin treatment for this ASAP as it has been caught extremely early.

Since his diagnosis in 2023, Mark has undergone three major surgeries and been diagnosed with a secondary cancer, LAMN. To me, he is a “medical unicorn”—resilient in the face of some of the rarest and most challenging conditions.

Despite the intensity and uncertainty of everything going on currently, Mark is not experiencing neurological symptoms from the LMD and we are holding onto hope that the new and promising treatment he will be receiving soon will send the disease into remission or keep the disease at bay for a long time and that we can continue to work towards getting TIL, a systemic treatment for melanoma.

Mark is currently unable to work due to the demands treatment and is waiting for Social Security Disability benefits, which can take quite some time.

I am so glad I have been able to be by his side through this journey—the appointments, recoveries, hospital stays, ER trips, bedrest, and every moment of uncertainty. And, like many others in my situation, due to the demands of caregiving, I have had to significantly reduce my work hours to be present and provide care, a choice I would make over and over again.

Together we have weathered a year filled with more ups and downs than we could have been prepared for- emotionally, physically, and financially.

We’re reaching out now because the weight of medical expenses, travel costs for treatment, and daily living needs has become overwhelming with our limited ability to devote time to work.

It’s vulnerable to share this, but we know the power of community—and how much it means to feel supported during times like these.

Funds raised will go directly toward:

*Ongoing and Outstanding medical expenses and bills

*Basic living costs during treatment

*Travel and potential accommodations for a 2-week Proton Therapy Treatment at DuPage Proton Center.

*Appointments and travel to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas and potentially other hospitals for second opinions.

*And, if treatment allows—travel for joy and healing, because we believe that making memories matters (especially outside of the walls of a hospital).

If you are able to give, whether it’s $5 or simply sharing this campaign, we are deeply grateful. If the last year has taught me anything it's that cancer is wicked and devastating and yet somehow, one day at a time, in love and presence, we keep living.

Your support means more than words can say. Thank you for lifting us up and walking beside us.

With love and gratitude,

Mark & Keeley