Michael Schenck

My story

I was in high schoolwhen I first knew anyone my age with cancer, let alone a friend.  Randy was one of those people who naturallymet with people on their level.  I was anawkward kid.  Already 6’5” tall butterribly skinny and clumsy weighing in at a stickly 130 LBS.  Already a super nerdy/geeky guy (self-taught computers, Music geek, STEM aficionado) but that didn’t stop Randy from hangingout with me.  We were both in Cross Countryand Track – peak health, or so it appeared. Randy was soon diagnosed with Leukemia (again). And within 18 months, hewas gone.  While he technically dies fromthe flu, he was weakened by radiation, chemo, and ultimately a total marrowtransplant.  He would not have been inthat place if it wasn’t for the cancer. 

A mission and memorial

Since then, I have picked and chosen various Charities to support – American Cancer Society, Locks for Love, Relay for Life, St. Baldricks, and a local charity when I lived in NY. Now, with the support of the Marcum Foundation, I have chosen to supportSt. Jude Childrens hospitals – where the patients and their families pay nothingfor the top level care and even experimental therapies are used. In pursuit ofthe seemingly impossible, St. Jude’s works towards a world without childhood cancers.  Fitting, as St. Jude himself is called “The Apostle of the Impossible” and is credited for miraculous healing.  So here’s my latest effort is supporting cancer research and ridding the world of childhood cancers.

This September, I’m joining the nationwide movement to honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and support those who need us most — the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

Can I count on your donation to help me reach my goal?

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live. Because of our generous donors, St. Jude can provide children cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families.

When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. Thank you for supporting me and the lifesaving work happening at St. Jude today.  

Let’s cure childhood cancer. Together.