- Zita’s Gang
- Nixon Strong
- In Memory of Bill Bridges
- In Memory of Don Johnson
- Memory of Mary Bennett
- Ronnie Thomas/ Donna Hoffman
- Judy Seibert
- Terry Smith’s Groundhog Day
- WaTerHill Creations
- Tim Freitag
- Anthony Jenkins
- Team Joyce
- Happy Feet – Sierra
- Kristi Webster
- Team Audrey
- Alig’s Army
- Straight Outta Compton
- Team Drew
- Mind Over Matter
- Team Cam
- You and Me. We Got This! (Davidson)
- Tod’s Team
- Rhonda’s Band
- Hunting for a Cure (Meismer)
- Team Bohnker
- Bethany’s Bunch
- Unknown Heroes and Warriors
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’s experience with brain tumors began in 2014 when my 9-year-old niece was diagnosed and treated at OSF Peoria. While her initial medical diagnosis and predicted outcome were as bleak as it gets, God had other plans in place. Our first Walk was three months post-surgery and we were a family still in shock, awe, and recovery from the experience. It’s difficult to describe how much the support of MLWFTM volunteers, fellow survivors, medical staff, and all others attending our first event meant to us. The fact that we get to raise money to continue learning about tumors and helping advance medical knowledge is an awesome bonus.
WaTurHill has online stores that donate a percentage of sales to MLWFTM. Our survivor is now a young adult and had no permanent side effects or symptoms since surgery. We are truly blessed.
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.
Happy Feet
We walk for Sierra! On Easter Sunday in 2016, when Sierra was 3 years old, we found out she had a brain tumor.
Thankfully, it was benign and it was removed successfully on March 30, 2016. She has been a happy and healthy child since then and we are forever grateful to Dr. Tsung and everyone at the INI & OSF for everything they’ve done. We have been walking and supporting the Walk for the Mind since 2017 in honor of Sierra, as well as the numerous other friends that have been affected by brain tumors.
Kristi Webster
Kristi Webster has long fought the fight and raises money each year for brain tumor/cancer research.
Alig’s Army
Being diagnosed in 2010, 2018 and 2014, it is my ambition to raise funds through Alig’s Army to continue the support of research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. I am counting on the Army to help make a difference as brain tumors have impacted others in the family, as well as, close friends. Please consider helping me achieve my goal of $5000. Keep in mind, if your company provides a matching fund for non-profit organizations, please report your donation offer to your employer. Thanks for your consideration and support.
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.
Team Cam
We are walking in honor of Camryn Becker. Camryn is a native of Central Illinois. She graduated from Olympia High School in 2019. She was attending undergrad school at Pace University in NYC when she discovered she had a brain tumor. She had the malignant grade 4 Astrocytoma removed in March of 2023. Camryn is finishing up her last few months of chemo and hopefully will be done in June of 2024. Camryn is currently in grad school in NYC and so far shows no growth of her tumor!
You and Me. We Got This!
We celebrate all those diagnosed with brain cancer as well as their family and friends who support them.
Our team walks with Patrick Davidson. To us, he is our husband, father, brother, nephew, uncle, colleague, and friend. After a seizure at work, a brain tumor was found and removed. Patrick was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May 2024. He, along with his dedicated network of doctors, nurses, and technicians, fights this disease every day.
Please consider supporting Patrick and all those impacted by brain cancer. Donations from this Walk fund brain tumor research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Tod’s Team
Tod was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in September of 2011. He fought this disease courageously for nearly 3 years and passed away on August 1, 2014. Tod was a devoted family man and fierce friend. He was probably best known for his love of cycling and the fighting spirit of racing served him well in his battle with cancer. He is greatly missed and we walk in his memory.
Rhonda’s Band
We walk in memory of Rhonda Downey.
Rhonda was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma in October, 2017. Rhonda passed away on February 7, 2019.
We are honored to join in raising brain tumor awareness, support for all that are affected by brain tumors, and raising funds for brain tumor research.
Jim Meismer
We are celebrating our dear husband, father,brother, uncle and friend, Jim Meismer. Jim shared his kindness through helping anyone in need to volunteering to make sure veterans past and present were and are recognized for their sacrifice to volunteering at his church in any way. One thing Jim did model throughout his life is to help those in need. Throughout his battle with this disease, he had a positive and open attitude. He faced every hurdle head on. He has passed this to his family and friends. After Jim passed, we were introduced to the Mark Linder Walk. We found out we are not alone in this fight. Following Jim’s footprints, we are walking in remembering him and other warriors of this disease. As Jm would say “let’s hustle!”
Team Bohnker
Keith Bohnker was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in April 2023. He underwent two brain surgeries in two weeks shortly thereafter, recovered well and began treatment with chemo and radiation per current best practices. In August 2023 he added Optune to his treatment regimen, which he lovely named ‘Harry’. He’s had some ups and downs along this journey, but has been blessed with few side effects from treatment. His strength and positive outlook continues to inspire those around him.
Bethany’s Bunch
Bethany Canopy has lived in Central Illinois since she was a young child. She grew up in Pekin, and currently lives in Tremont with her husband Nick, and children Brinley and Waylon.
Bethany’s brain cancer journey began earlier this year when she began experiencing persistent headaches, behavioral changes, and constant exhaustion. By May, Bethany’s condition continued to worsen, and she repeatedly went to the emergency department, but no scans were ever performed. In mid-June, during another visit to the emergency department, a scan was performed and it revealed a mass on Bethany’s right frontal lobe, that was confirmed by an MRI, to be a 5cm tumor. On July 5th, 2024, Bethany underwent her first surgery to remove the tumor, and after a biopsy, the tumor was confirmed to be Glioblastoma. Bethany had a second surgery on August 22nd, 2024 to remove more of the tumor, and after recovering from the surgery, she will begin chemotherapy and radiation.
Bethany’s Bunch is a group of Bethany’s family and friends, who are walking to show support for Bethany in her fight against Glioblastoma. We love you Beth, Fight On!
