Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund Information

The Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund was established in July, 2004 when melanoma took the life of Jack H. Marston, II at the age of 47. Jack was a devoted family man and a dedicated coach to hundreds of children in the Glen Ellyn, IL area. An accomplished athlete and four-time Chicago Marathon participant, Jack loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier, golfer, mountain biker, and more. His compassion, kindness, and zest for life were and are an inspiration to all who knew him. Although Jack’s battle was a private one and his intention was to quietly beat the disease, his valor in the fight taught us much. We now know that metastatic melanoma is a very complex cancer, with vague symptoms that are often initially mistaken for “nothing serious”. The incidence of melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate, and is a threat to both adults and children; yet research toward better treatment and a cure remains underfunded. Most importantly, awareness of the prevention and detection of melanoma and all forms of skin cancer must be raised in order to prevent further spread of the disease. The Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund is committed to reflecting Jack’s values of determination, tenacity, compassion, and the competitive spirit that made him determined to beat melanoma. Our vision reflects the foundation of five pillars: Awareness, Research, Healing, Remembering, and Scholarships. We are committed to maximizing every dollar we raise to fund programs in these four vital areas. In Jack's memory, we hope to draw a step closer to the cure for melanoma, while building awareness for the prevention and early detection of the disease. We hope you will join us.