Beneficiaries

Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation

The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation was created to honor the life of this Pediatric Medical Resident at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital. During the filming of the ABC reality series Houston Medical, she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she agreed to share all - her cancer journey, personal life and professional duties as a medical resident. In the show's debut episode, Marnie stunned viewers by pulling off her wig, revealing that she was both a doctor and a patient. Throughout the run of Houston Medical, viewers were awed by her determination to keep working despite her illness, her candor about her disease, and her positive attitude in the face of adversity.

"We wanted to honor Marnie's spirit, courage and strength with an event that would benefit two causes that touched her life so personally - brain cancer and children," says Myles Rose, Marnie's twin. "My sister chose to fight cancer with the nation watching. In doing so, she both put a "face" to brain cancer and offered strength and optimism to many who were ill. With the Run for the Rose, we hope to continue Marnie's legacy."

Marnie died on August 23, 2002, from complications of her cancer, just five weeks after the show's final episode aired.

For more information about the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, please visit their web site at www.runfortherose.com

Click Here to see the John C. Merchant Foundation Team Website on the Rose Foundation's web site.

Dr. Charles A. Conrad

The Foundation continues to support the relentless brain cancer research efforts of Dr. Charles Conrad (MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX). He and his associates persist in finding a cure for this debilitating disease. We directly assist in the funding of his agenda each year.

Dr. Charles Conrad is currently the Director of Clinical Operations, Neuro-Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas and until 2005, was the Medical Director, Brain and Spine Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

In response to the Foundation’s efforts to financially support his projects, we received this letter from Dr. Charles A. Conrad.

Following are excerpts from June 2009 e-mails to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation from various doctors at MD Anderson, that included the JCMF:

"The work you do and the money raised is unbelievably generous and greatly appreciated. This help inspires us to work harder for the development of new therapies for our patients.  The initial contributions that you have made have helped put three novel therapies into the clinic already; the EGFRviii peptide vaccine, the novel brain specific anthracycline Berubicin, and the oncolytic adenovirus Delta-24-RGD (now in the third patient!).  Thank you for your continued support and help."                    Dr. Charles Conrad        

"On behalf of the Brain Tumor Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and on my personal behalf, I wish to express my utmo st gratitude for your awesome dedication and contributions to our efforts in advancing Brain Tumor Research, and in helping accelerate finding a cure. As your gifts imply, we have several highly worthy Investigators who are pushing the frontiers of Science in our field. We can be collectively proud of their continuous accomplishments. The Leadership that you and your family have demonstrated over the past several years is inspiring and heart warming. I see the immense enjoyment you are projecting in having found this hugely effective way of influencing the course of Research. To you and to all your "teams", I say thank you. With my warmest personal regards." Dr. Ray Sawaya

"Many kudos to all your helpers and supporters to make such a successful effort. Your support to our research program is most valuable to our progress."                                                                                          Dr. W.K. Alfred Yung

"This additional funding really help s our efforts towards the development of molecular diagnostics/ personalized medicine for patients with glioma."  Dr. Ken Aldape

Steve Damm

Steve Damm was a neighbor of John's daughter and son-in-law and his kids are schoolmates and play in the same soccer league as John's grandchildren in Frisco, TX.  Steve had a glioma that he fought for over a year.  His supporters had a fundraiser in June, 2009 for the family and thier expenses, entitled "Kick the Damm Spot".  More information can be found at http://www.kickthedammspot.com/.   The John C. Merchant Foundation supported the Damm's function as a way to help others through our mission and to give some relief of the everyday pain and suffering we know so well.

Steve's wife maintained a blog at http://checkonsteve.blogspot.com/, if you'd like to follow the Damm's everyday life and how they managed, fought and coped with Steve's brain cancer. 

Steve passed away on September 7, 2009.  On the blog, Tyra spoke of his final moments: "We were holding hands.  Now he is rid of the Damm Spot. And his spirit -- his playful, creative, loving, warm and generous spirit -- is at peace."

Our thoughts, prayers and blessings are with his family.

Alexia Surdukan  

Alexia is a 5yr old girl in the Houston area that was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in April of 2009.  What started as a sick child, not able to control her vomiting and headaches, soon turned into a serious illness for a brave little girl. 

The JCMF supported Alexia's family's financial obligations through a golf tournament that was held in her honor in 2009.  You can follow Alexia's story at  https://www.carepages.com/carepages/AlexiaSurdukan/patient  You will need to sign-up to view her blog, but it is quick with no obligation.

Our thoughts, prayers and blesssings go out to her family.