Friends of Cary Martin $20,000 Matching Donation Challenge

A group of Cary Martin's high school friends are coming together to keep Cary's memory alive by matching all donations to the Cary Martin Memorial Cancer Services Fund now through the end of November, 2019, up to $20,000 in matches.

Cary, son of Lila and Arlan Martin, spent his childhood in Morton. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Morton Junior High and graduated from Morton High School in 1983. While in high school, he played basketball but most of all enjoyed socializing with his classmates. He was known by all and a true friend to many. Following high school he attended Illinois State University and graduated with a B.S. in Applied Computer Science. He put his education to good use and had a very successful career in the computer software industry.

Unexpectedly in 2006, Cary was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung with metastic spreading to his lymph nodes, liver and various bones. The cancer was classified as Stage IV before a treatment plan could begin. Cary had never been a smoker so it was difficult to understand and very devastating to his family and friends.

Cary, being the optimistic, smiling person that he was, didn’t let it get him down. Through the Caring Bridge website shared photos of his treatments and challenged all of his friends to a “14 day challenge” that offered a positive change in each one’s life, including daily exercise, food intake changes, along with Nano-Greens and multi-vitamins. He influenced over 200 people to commit to the challenge.

Cary was living in Stilwell, KS, with his wife and two children, and received medical care from the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The treatment and care was outstanding from the KU center and from his family, as well as other neighbors and friends. After nearly a year and a half of treatment, Cary at the age of 43 completed the fight and entered Heaven in 2008. He had the heart of a servant and would want to see others who are battling cancer be helped by this fund to make their experience a little easier.

In September, 2013, long-time friend, and Morton High School classmate, Dirk Roecker decided to start the Cary S. Martin Cancer Services Memorial Fund, in Cary's memory. The fund was kicked off at the 30th Class Reunion of the MHS Class of '83. Dirk challenged other friends and classmates of Cary to donate to this fund, which will provide funding to the American Cancer Society's "Patient Navigation Services" program, to support other families from the Morton area who are dealing with the battle of cancer.

Through the American Cancer Society, families can: Find the answers to question about their specific cancer and treatments; Receive help with transportation to their cancer treatments; Get help with a place to stay at a reduced rate if treatments are needed far from home; Get support figuring out their medical bills and insurance; Receive free wigs and hats in styles they can choose; Get free classes on how to deal with side effects during cancer treatment; Help to explain and find a clinical trial; Receive resources for the caregiver; Receive answers for their prescription questions; Get advice on ways to deal with your medical costs if they don't have insurance; and help with many other issues. For more information, call 800-227-2345,