Mark Tyler Cunningham

Our Mark was an exceptionally special person. He was a devoted father, great husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and loyal friend. But most of all Mark IS a true Hero. His seven-year Glioblastoma (GBM) brain cancer journey was long and painful. Mark was only 28 years old when he was diagnosed. Yet over the past seven plus years, he fought on. Fewer than 10% of glioblastoma patients survive past five years of an initial diagnosis, with most living less than a year. Mark however, was an exception to that statistic. The trips back and forth to Moffitt Cancer Center were difficult for him. But he rarely complained. Instead, many times he made us laugh with his singing duets with Stephanie. (Sometimes filmed in the Moffitt Cancer Center bathroom) It was hilarious!

Prior to the GBM diagnosis, Mark was very health conscious. He went to the neighborhood gym, worked out at home, ate healthy foods, and did not eat sweets. He would encourage Stephanie to follow the same lifestyle. Like that was ever going to happen! Curiously, that changed after the diagnosis and after Mark discovered Fred’s Southern Kitchen, an all-you-can eat buffet of southern-style foods located in Plant City, FL. Luckily it was on our way back from Moffitt. SO-almost every trip, Mark would tell us to stop and eat at Fred’s on the way back home. Of course, Stephanie and I sacrificed and honored Mark’s wishes.
Mark endured two brain surgeries, countless treatments of radiation, numerous inpatient rounds of intense chemotherapy, and many more outpatient chemotherapy and immunotherapy infusions. Mark suffered five reoccurrences during his battle. As the treatments waged a war on his body, we learned to live in a world with horrific side effects, uncontrollable seizures, central line ports, and feeding tubes. We prayed and hoped that the potency of these poisons and treatments would at least be strong enough to destroy the cancer cells. During it all, we rubbed his back while he vomited and watched as our Mark lost weight, his hair, and become pale, and at the end his beautiful voice. All the while, Mark never complained about pain, hospital stays, or missing time with family and friends. Mark simply faced each new challenge with a strength and courage of a true Hero.

There were also times that along the way that we thought we had won the cancer battle. We rejoiced! We watched you celebrate (ringing of the bell) after completing your radiation treatments. Only to have our hearts broken again and again by hearing those awful words: there is another tumor or the tumor has grown. However, like a true hero you put on your battle gear and fought on.

You inspired us and so many others so many times. An example of this is when you participated in the 2018 Race for Hope-DC, the 5K course in the nation's capital. Although the cancer had already made walking difficult for you, YOU insisted that we walk the entire 5K course, although Stephanie and I kept asking you, “Are you sure you don’t want to stop and go back? It’s Ok.” Nope, you just kept walking! And again, just this past May, although you could no longer walk, you “walked” the entire 5K course in your wheelchair in the cold, wind and rain. Then how we marveled at your courage, strength and selflessness the following day during the many meetings with congressional leaders including Congressman Brain Mast, during the Head to the Hill National Brain Tumor Society Event in Washington D.C. Your voice and advocacy for the brain cancer community was gallant – Once again- Mark our Hero!

To those of you who have supported and participated in the various Glioblastoma (GBM) fundraisers and awareness events – thank you. To those of you who may be learning about GBM for the first time –we ask that you join us in our continued fight against this heartless disease that has afflicted our community. We are requesting that donations be given to the Brain Cancer Foundation of the Treasure Coast ( http://www.braincancertc.org ). Checks may also be mailed to 6830 Monoco Ct, Pt St Lucie, FL 34983.

In addition, monetary donations may also be given directly to Stephanie Ankiel, 6830 Monoco Ct, Pt St Lucie, FL 34983, to help defray the cost of the extensive medial costs associated with Mark’s 7-year cancer battle.

Mark, the happiness and memories you brought into our lives will live on. Your courage will live on. Your fight against brain cancer will live on!