“...parents typically never “get over” the loss of a child...”

“...rather learn to adjust and to integrate the loss into their lives.”

“The death of a child remains one of the most stressful life events imaginable.”

“One-fourth to one-third of parents who lose a child report that their marriage suffers strains that sometimes prove irreparable.”

Guide to the Great Beyond by Jane Brodie

The Markoffs know the pain of losing a child. The loss is with them every day and the pain of Rachel’s death will never leave them. Thus, helping families cope with the impact of having a child with cancer is almost equally important to finding a cure.

The tumor that took Rachel's life was a brain stem glioma, a particularly lethal form of childhood cancer. It still claims 80% of its victims within three years. Supporting the research that will lead to a cure to brain tumors is one of the primary missions of the Foundation.

Many parents who lose a child find a new purpose to their lives, one that helps them deal with the loss. The Foundation serves as a memorial to Rachel and an important remembrance for the Markoffs—one that will ultimately find a cure for this terrible childhood killer and help families deal with its impact.