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Mark is a retired freelance artist and illustrator who has created hundreds of works of art for books, magazines, greeting cards, websites and countless other publications over a long career. After retiring, he hoped to just live a simple life, maybe do volunteer work with his wife at some National Parks and continue to paint, sculpt, and do other creative works – but this time just for art’s sake. However, his wife received a BRCA2-associated cancer diagnosis that shattered that dream. Mark became his late wife’s caregiver as she struggled with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and all the horrible side effects that come with treatment. In turn, he became a hereditary cancer awareness and prevention advocate. And since his daughter also carries the same germline BRCA2 mutation, he said that his advocacy means even more.
February 03, 2023
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Reflecting on World Cancer Day got me thinking about butterflies, a symbol of hope, but, according to the “Butterfly Effect” theory, a small flap of their wings could have major impacts on the world, which is not very different from cancer.
January 24, 2023
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When my wife was going through cancer treatments, she sometimes would color my artwork as a distraction. Here’s an activity I made for other survivors, now that it’s the year of the rabbit.
December 20, 2022
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As I work on a holiday drawing, the coyotes are howling outside, while inside, my cat and I are reminded of my wife who died of breast cancer.
December 01, 2022
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Educating people about cancer can not only be life-saving, but is also a kind thing to do. I was reminded of this by a post from a children’s author who died of cancer.
November 15, 2022
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Being a creative, I learned to solve many of the problems that life threw my way. But being artistically gifted was worthless for dealing with the stark realities of my wife’s cancer.
October 31, 2022
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I know that cancer is not lighthearted but wanted to offer a fun Halloween drawing activity for those affected by the disease.
October 24, 2022
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Truly raising awareness for breast cancer — or any other disease — can’t be done with walks and colorful ribbons, but through seeing the people who are affected by the illness.
October 12, 2022
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A professional illustrator and former cancer caregiver uses a detailed step-by-step approach using simple shapes such as circles and rectangles to demonstrate how others can easily draw a lion.
September 27, 2022
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I'm suggesting a new medical discipline called "previvology" that is dedicated to the detection of genetic mutations and the prevention or early detection of cancers that are associated with them.
September 12, 2022
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As National Previvor Day approaches, I’m getting back on my soapbox to discuss genetic testing and family histories of cancer. After all, these discussions could save lives.
August 25, 2022
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Here's a step-by-step guide on how I drew the superhero that I wish existed to fight my wife's cancer.
August 12, 2022
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Gender be damned, a mother bear’s “fierce compassion” became my default mode as I cared for my ailing adventure partner and soul mate.
July 27, 2022
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Drawing helped me stay grounded while my wife was going through cancer treatment.
July 16, 2022
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As I enter my second year of grief and the shock and fog of the traumatic loss of my wife to cancer has waned a bit, sometimes I see things a little clearer. And one thing I do know, there was something that I did get right.
June 28, 2022
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When participating in FORCE’s Virtual Advocacy Day, it was difficult for me not to go off-script, as anger welled up inside me.
June 17, 2022
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My daughter is a cancer “previvor” because she inherited a cancer gene from her mother, so this Father’s Day, I’m celebrating her, too.
June 06, 2022
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Having someone beside you to accompany you during doctor's visits to take notes or having someone to help you find the right specialist or even to just help research what treatment options are available can be incredibly helpful.
May 19, 2022
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Anger is a reaction to injustice, which cancer certainly is. Sometimes I wished there was a place in the cancer treatment centers to let that rage out.
May 06, 2022
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With Mother’s Day upon us, I’m advocating for better genetic cancer screening so that no more children are motherless on this day.
April 18, 2022
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A trauma therapist who specializes in cancer would have been helpful for my wife and I as we navigated her cancer experience, but the option was never discussed at our health care visits.
April 10, 2022
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When my late wife was diagnosed with BRCA2-related triple-negative breast cancer, I realized how important medical literacy is for patients and their loved ones.