The Marti Leider Foundation was established in 2014 to award scholarships to those affected by cancer and provide donations to hospice care providers and other organizations aligned with our mission. Inspired by our mother's life, we want to raise money through various events and activities. The MLF is a fully certified 501(c)3 organization that ensures 100% of funds go toward scholarships and donations.

Beginning in the fall of 2022, we welcomed our second Marti Leider Scholar to the MLF family—Molly Morris. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer at the age of 6 in 2021, she lived life as a normal kid despite the countless doctor visits, chemo, radiation treatments, and surgeries. Unfortunately, her conditioned worsened early this year, and Molly passed away in February.

Inspired by her courage and honored to be a part of the community she and her family built, the Marti Leider Foundation will help support tuition expenses for Molly’s younger sister, Annie, as she attends a Chicago-area Catholic school for the next few years.

To read more about Molly's story and the #MollyStrong community, check out their Facebook page, where the family provides information about pediatric cancer along with opportunities to support those in the community.

In addition to these efforts, the MLF will continue to make regular donations to end-of-life care centers, specifically to help with burial/funeral costs for those otherwise unable to afford them. These gifts go directly to JourneyCare, the parent company of the hospice facility that cared for both Marti and Steve in their final days.

For more information, check out our FAQ page.

Please visit our Links page for more information on colon cancer and other charitable organizations.

Contact Megan Leider, MLF President, or Nick Leider, MLF Secretary, with any additional questions.