Assist M.E. Grants Awarded
Our Mission...
Miles for Marc was formally established in 2015 by the late Marc Kuchler and his wife at the time, Rachael. The initial goal was to increase awareness and funding for genetic research in order to identify targeted drug therapies and ensure molecular testing for all lung cancer patients. Funds raised by Miles for Marc have gone to support research for targeted drug therapies; in particular therapies which would treat EGFR Exon 20 – the mutation Marc Kuchler possessed. We initially began fundraising efforts as Miles for Marc through a partnering organization in 2012. Since then, Miles for Marc has sponsored and raised $235,813.00 towards lung cancer research grants!
In 2020 we kicked off our most rewarding mission of all. Our Assist M.E. Initiative; through which we aim to provide much needed financial assistance to qualifying individuals in the Greater Philadelphia Area lung cancer community. It is our goal to ensure that local patients make choices about treatment not limited to what they can afford, rather what they need to survive. By helping to alleviate some of the financial burden that goes hand-in-hand with a cancer diagnosis, we hope to provide greater quality of life for patients and their families.
We are a grass-roots, family-run nonprofit with all funds raised going to fulfill our mission and ensure Marc’s legacy lives on!
About Marc Kuchler
Marc was born and raised in Drexel Hill, PA. He graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in 2001 where he played baseball and ice hockey. Marc attended Drexel University, where he also played ice hockey, and earned a degree in Architectural Engineering. At 28-years-old Marc would be diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer and begin the fight of his life. With the main tumor in his left lung he also had metastasis in the L5 spine, right shoulder, and multiple lymph nodes; Marc’s battle would not be easy. Radiation to his L5 vertebrae and his right rib, 3 separate bouts with chemotherapy, maintenance drugs, two different clinical trials, an upper left-lobectomy, immunotherapy, and gamma-knife radiation to metastasis in his brain occupied Marc’s life from October 2011 through February 2015. Marc’s 40-month battle against this disease would sadly end at the young age of 31. His strength, perseverance, and love of life, though, would inspire thousands of people to carry out his legacy through Miles for Marc.
Marc was a true inspiration and the bravest of brave. A true hero in his own right.
“I think a hero is someone who is loyal. You need to have loyalty if you want to be a hero, because if you’re not loyal you can’t be depended on and no one will trust you to do things for them. The next thing you need to have to be a hero is bravery. Bravery is something that is needed to just jump right into something, no matter what it is. Bravery will help you to overcome your fears...”