Team Descriptions

  1. Zita’s Gang
  2. Nixon Strong
  3. In Memory of Bill Bridges
  4. In Memory of Don Johnson
  5. Memory of Mary Bennett
  6. Ronnie Thomas/ Donna Hoffman
  7. Judy Seibert
  8. Terry Smith’s Groundhog Day
  9. WaTerHill Creations
  10. Tim Freitag
  11. Anthony Jenkins
  12. Team Joyce
  13. Sierra and Pengie Rule
  14. Kristi Webster
  15. Team Audrey
  16. Alig’s Army
  17. Straight Outta Compton
  18. Team Drew
  19. Mind Over Matter

To donate and credit any of these teams listed, click here to go to the form. Thanks.

Zita’s Gang (Zita Cronkleton)

Zita was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022. She had – and continues to have – amazing care from her team of doctors. We appreciate having local care and want to support continued brain tumor research through Mark Linder Walk for the Mind. 

Nixon Strong

Dave Nixon was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma in October of 2017, and lost his battle with this disease on August 5, 2018.  He was a lifelong Peorian.  It was his DU Fraternity Brothers from the University of Illinois who coined the phrase “Nixon Strong” to support him while he fought this horrible disease.  He would be pleased knowing that the funds raised from the Walk for the Mind are used by the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria for brain tumor/cancer research in hopes of one day helping others.

In Memory of Bill Bridges

Bill was diagnosed July 30, 2017 with Glioblastoma and we’re so thankful for Dr. Tsung’s work in removing his tumor. Bill had a 5 1/2 year journey with GBM and passed away on April 1, 2023. He and his family have been involved with Mark Linder Walk for the Mind since 2017, and Bill wanted more than anything to find a cure. He looked forward to the walk each year. Our family is so grateful for all the love and support we received through Bill’s diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

 In Memory of Don Johnson

We are honoring Don Johnson who passed away from Glioblastoma in August of 2019. He was a hard-working, generous and family first man. He was wonderful son, brother and uncle. We, his family, continue to carry on his memory each year and hope to help further research towards brain cancer.

In Memory of Mary Bennett

1943-2007

Mary Bennett was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme on April 1, 2006. She went through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other trials, living life as best as she could until she passed away in October 2007. Let’s support brain tumor survivors and raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research. One day, there will be a cure for brain tumors. All money raised from the Walk for the Mind stays local and goes toward brain tumor research programs at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.

WaTurHill Creations

Our family started WaTurHill Creations as a way to raise funds for MLWFTM. Following surgery in 2014, our survivor began selling ‘Addie Art’ from her front yard to raise money for OSF. We expanded this initial idea, formed WaTurHill, and began selling unique handmade, upcycled, and vintage gifts and collectibles donating at least 10% of every sale to brain tumor research. And we donate 50% from our GRAY MATTERS line of t-shirts and products. We are incredibly blessed and thankful for the work and support Mark Linder Walk For The Mind brings to the community. WaTurHillCreations.etsy.com WaTurHillCollectible.etsy.com

Anthony Jenkins – Amps Army

We are the family and friends of Anthony Jenkins who walk each year in his memory. Anthony lost his fight in 2018. We miss Anthony very much and will continue to honor his memory by walking.

Team Joyce

An MRI showed a mass on Joyce’s brain on September 9, 2016 (the same day her youngest child turned 6 months old). Surgery showed she had Glioblastoma. Joyce fought a long hard battle and was able to be with her kids another 4 years until she succumbed to cancer on December 23, 2020 at the young age of 37. She left behind her husband and children aged 9, 6, and 4.

Kristi Webster

Kristi Webster has long fought the fight and raises money each year for brain tumor/cancer research.

Team Drew

Drew Hendrick passed away from a Glioblastoma brain tumor May 5th, 2022. He was diagnosed an Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade 3 in April of 2020 and confirmed Grade 4 Glioblastoma in December of 2021. He grew up just north of Peoria in Toulon, Illinois surrounded by a large and loving family. He worked for Caterpillar as an accountant for the extent of his career, almost 15 years. He was married in 2019, had a handsome baby boy in 2020 and a beautiful baby girl in 2022 shortly before passing away. He was loyal, loving, enormously kind, intelligent, smarter than he would admit, humble, stoic, we could go on and on. Throughout his diagnosis he recognized how grim his outcome would likely be but communicated he would participate in any research that might one day help someone else in his position. Team Drew would like to carry on his efforts and strength by making a difference for a group of researchers who are as passionate about finding answers as we are. Love you Drew Boy. Until we see you again my love. 

Mind Over Matter

 

We are friends and family walking in honor of our loved ones – Audrey Lambe, Mike Shea and his brother Pete Shea – who we lost to Glioblastoma. Brain cancer research is important to our team because we want to help fund research to find a cure for this awful disease.