About Us
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Camp History
In 2010, Milton Marks III was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and he, along with his wife and three young sons, began a two-year journey that profoundly changed their lives. Over the course of his lifetime, Milton was recognized as a civic and community leader and it is in the memory of his passion to help others that his wife Abigail began a mission to better understand and meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. Her vision evolved into a camp where families living with brain cancer can come together and find respite in a holistic environment. Together, with members of the UCSF Neuro-Oncology medical and nursing teams, and others interested in improving the quality of life of brain tumor patients and their families, Abby's vision became a reality. Since its inception in Fall 2014, thirty families have attended the Milton Marks Family Camp; some families have attended multiple times.
The Milton Marks Neuro-Oncology Family Camp is under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Initiatives, a 501(c)3 non-profit.
“I honestly know that I wouldnʼt have found a way to fight [the brain cancer] if it wasnʼt for this camp. This camp has changed my life. Anybody whoʼd think about coming Iʼd say you need to come. You gotta come. Because you're not listening to a doctor. You're listening to people whoʼve fought. And youʼre listening to people who care. Itʼs the best thing that's happened to me.”
- Patient (4th Year Camper)
Our Advisory Board
Abigail Levinson Marks, Ph.D.
(Camp Co-Founder and Director)
Margaretta S. Page, MS, RN
(Camp Co-Founder)
Heather Paul
(Assistant Director)
Peter L. Stein
(Board President)
Susan Chang, MD
Jennifer Clarke, MD
Marielle Woodall
Sarah "Sarge" Grossman
Stephanie Humphrey
Mary P. Lovely, PhD, RN, CNRN
Rosemary Rossi, MSW
Loren Schwartz, JD
OPERATIONS
Laura Rhodes, M.S.
