OUR BOARD

Marc was not only my son, but my best friend. Throughout the duration of Marc’s sickness he never gave up. He never complained once and was all about courage. He displayed an awesome amount of determination and will. He loved life to the fullest. In this we are so very proud of him. Marc is our family’s inspiration to live on. We loved to care for Marc, to watch him laugh and to have fun. We thank God each day for having allowed Marc to be a part of our lives.

Ace Apodaca is the brother to the Marc Apodaca and proud uncle to Marc Jr. He has very fond memories of his nephew as Marc Jr knew how to make people laugh and was just a loving kid. Seeing the family go through that experience was a very hard thing. Ace is willing to take on whatever is asked of him to support his brothers’ family and the foundation. He is very proud of Marc and Lynette for starting the foundation and what the foundation has become, he is also very thankful to all those associated with the Marc Jr Foundation.

Joseph Medina is a founding member on the Board of the Marc Jr. Foundation.  Joseph assists the Foundation as their Treasurer and brings over 40 years of corporate middle management experience to the Marc Jr. Foundation.  He has a B.S. in Business Administration Management from Regis University.  Joseph was awarded membership in the “Who’s Who in the World Wide Registry of Business Leaders.”  He was a past President of Rotary International as well as Co-Chairman of United Way in Morgan County.  His training provided the catalyst to serve as a board member and president of seven different nonprofit operations during his employment years.  Joseph is a trusted advisor and, volunteering for the Marc Jr. Foundation, has brought many life realities into focus along with the joy of serving others.

Alfonso Barela is an Electrical Design Engineer, at Ball Aerospace for space systems and products.  As an electrical design engineer he works on commercial and government (NASA) satellites and spacecraft that include space telescopes, space bound imaging systems and weather satellites.   Alfonso’s educational background is a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado and an Associate Degree in Electronics Technology from Front Range Community College.  Alfonso is a member of the Marc Jr Foundation Board of Directors.   Marc Jr was his cousin and during Little Marc’s illness realized the pain a family endures during unforeseen circumstances from this illness. Alfonso decided to volunteer his time and joined the Foundation to support of his cousin and other DIPG patients and families.

Loretta Howard is a Legal Secretary at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLC.  Lynette and Loretta were co-workers when her son, Marc Jr., was first diagnosed with the dreaded DIPG.  Little Marc was a very special young man and touched many lives.  Loretta has observed the Foundation from the beginning and is amazed at the number of families who have received financial assistance and support and very important information about this disease.  Loretta believes this Foundation has brought a needed awareness to this terrible childhood cancer and feels it is an honor and a privilege to be able to volunteer for this very worthy organization.

Marc was not only my son, but my best friend. Throughout the duration of Marc’s sickness he never gave up. He never complained once and was all about courage. He displayed an awesome amount of determination and will. He loved life to the fullest. In this we are so very proud of him. Marc is our family’s inspiration to live on. We loved to care for Marc, to watch him laugh and to have fun. We thank God each day for having allowed Marc to be a part of our lives.

Pete’s son, Sam, passed away from a DIPG just like Marc Jr. He was almost six years old, in kindergarten, with his whole life ahead of him. The shock was numbing as doctors told his parents of his diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor, and he would not likely live another year. Pediatric brain tumors are rare, and a DIPG tumor makes up only about 10% of those. With little progress in research and cures, the Marc Jr Foundation is proud to help stricken families in any way they can.

Ace Apodaca is the brother to the Marc Apodaca and proud uncle to Marc Jr. He has very fond memories of his nephew as Marc Jr knew how to make people laugh and was just a loving kid. Seeing the family go through that experience was a very hard thing. Ace is willing to take on whatever is asked of him to support his brothers’ family and the foundation. He is very proud of Marc and Lynette for starting the foundation and what the foundation has become, he is also very thankful to all those associated with the Marc Jr Foundation.

Anita currently holds the position of Accounting Manager at an Oil & Gas firm and has been with the company for 28 years.  Anita felt helpless after the loss of her cousin Marc Jr to a DIPG.  Volunteering for the foundation’s accountant was an easy decision.  No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child and Anita admires their courage.  Anita does not know if there will be a cure for cancer in her lifetime, but Anita hopes the grants from the foundation will help the financial burden of families in need.