Welcome to The Mark Linder Walk for the Mind!

Join Us for the 10th Annual Mark Linder Walk for the Mind on September 29, 2012. 

Every year between 40,000 and 50,000 primary brain tumors are diagnosed.  Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer related deaths in males aged 20-39 and the 5th leading cause of death in women aged 20-39.  They are also the second most common solid tumor in children.  There are no known specific risk factors for brain tumors.

Mark Linder was only in his twenties when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  A Peoria native, he graduated from Richwoods High School and then Southern Illinois University in 1997.  He completed his studies for a Masters degree in Industrial Occupational Psychology in 1997 from Western Kentucky University.

Mark's goal was to create a place where brain tumor survivors and those still fighting the battle can come and support one another in this battle. In an effort to reach out to other brain tumor survivors and to help raise funds for Brain Tumor research, Mark founded the Walk for the Mind in 2003. The Walk is a way to unite those individuals and their families as well as to raise funds to support brain tumor research in hopes to find a cure.

That first walk attracted over 150 walkers on the Peoria riverfront and raised over $12,000 for the ABTA.  Mark died, aged 31, in 2005.  However, his walk now attracts over 600 walkers a year from all over Central Illinois, including fifty or more survivors, and has raised over $250,000 for Brain Tumor research.  Also, in 2005, Mark was honored by having an academic fellowship named in his honor. 

Save the Date!!

The 10th Annual The Mark Linder Walk for the Mind will be held on September 29, 2012 at the Peoria Riverplex.  For more information about this event, please contact Peggy @ 309-925-3919 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .