The 1st Annual Walk for the Mind was held in 2003. Mark’s creation of the Walk came from his experience of feeling alone when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His mission was to create brain tumor awareness in the local community. Mark also wanted to raise funds for brain tumor research.

Sadly, Linder lost his battle in 2005 at the age of 31 but not before he got to see his vision making a difference. Re-named after his death, the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind now attracts over 1000 participants from all over Central Illinois.  A check for $80,000 was presented in 2020 to the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria for their Brain Tumor Research Program. For the ninth year, all net proceeds was donated to the “Brain Tumor Research Programs” at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.

2020 Check Presentation
                                              2020 Check Presentation to UICOMP 
Nineteen years later the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind continues to be instrumental in bringing individuals together to create a network of support for one another. Many of our survivors continue to SHARE experiences in dealing with their own brain tumors.