OUR BOARD

The Foundation was formed to invest in research and medical advancements and provide financial and emotional support for the children and their families facing the disease. While this website does not promise cures for this deadly disease, we strive to provide the most comprehensive resources available to parents. Our goal is to offer information on the progress of the medical industry, holistic, alternative, and Western medicine, and make that information readily available to everyone.

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Lynette Apodaca

CO-FOUNDER

Marc’s Mom, Executive Director
Marc Jr Foundation
Denver, CO

After the death of her oldest child to a DIPG, Lynette quickly realized how little help was available in the form of treatment, information and support for the families facing this type of deadly cancer. Today, the Marc Jr Foundation generated funds through fundraising to invest in educational and financial support for families facing a DIPG diagnosis.

Marc Apodaca

CO-FOUNDER

Marc’s Dad, President
Marc Jr Foundation
Denver, CO

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 Walsdorf

Founding Board Member

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

Founding Board Member

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 Kilbey

Founding Board Member

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.

Joseph Medina

Founding Board Member

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.

Mary Coven

Founding Board Member

As a family friend it was hard to watch Marc Jr and the family battle this horrible disease.  It is Mary’s mission to help support the Foundation with her experience in grant writing and volunteering.  As a board member Mary helps to oversee the grant process and proposals and to locate alternative forms of funding.

Alfonso Barela

Founding Board Member

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.

Krista McKissack

Board Member

Krista McKissack met Lynette at New Mexico State University in 1990 and they have been friends since.  Over the years their families have spent many holidays together. The Apodaca family is an extension of the McKissack family. When Marc became ill Krista could not believe the strength this family has. Their faith, love, support and strength inspires others every day. DIPG is an incurable cancer that attacked this family.  Krista was honored to become a Board member Marc Jr lives on through this foundation and it is Krista’s hope that one day there will be a cure.

Loretta Howard

Board Member

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.

Denise Mattingley

has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist for 24 years. A family friend of Marc and Lynette I was inspired by their foundation and the support they offer other families with DPIG. I feel blessed to a part of this foundation.

Lynette Apodaca

CO-FOUNDER

Marc’s Mom, Executive Director
Marc Jr Foundation
Denver, CO

After the death of her oldest child to a DIPG, Lynette quickly realized how little help was available in the form of treatment, information and support for the families facing this type of deadly cancer. Today, the Marc Jr Foundation generated funds through fundraising to invest in educational and financial support for families facing a DIPG diagnosis.

Marc Apodaca

CO-FOUNDER

Marc’s Dad, President
Marc Jr Foundation
Denver, CO

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 Walsdorf

Founding Board Member

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

Founding Board Member

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 Kilbey

Founding Board Member

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.

Joseph Medina

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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.

Mary Coven

Founding Board Member

As a family friend it was hard to watch Marc Jr and the family battle this horrible disease.  It is Mary’s mission to help support the Foundation with her experience in grant writing and volunteering.  As a board member Mary helps to oversee the grant process and proposals and to locate alternative forms of funding.

Alfonso Barela

Founding Board Member

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.

Krista McKissack

BOARD MEMBER

Krista McKissack met Lynette at New Mexico State University in 1990 and they have been friends since.  Over the years their families have spent many holidays together. The Apodaca family is an extension of the McKissack family. When Marc became ill Krista could not believe the strength this family has. Their faith, love, support and strength inspires others every day. DIPG is an incurable cancer that attacked this family.  Krista was honored to become a Board member Marc Jr lives on through this foundation and it is Krista’s hope that one day there will be a cure.

Loretta Howard

BOARD MEMBER

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.

Denise Mattingley

has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist for 24 years. A family friend of Marc and Lynette I was inspired by their foundation and the support they offer other families with DPIG. I feel blessed to a part of this foundation.