Mark Laabs Memorial Announcement
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Mark Laabs, RCRF’s founder and Chairman of the Board, due to metastatic ocular melanoma
After being diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma in 2012, Mark founded RCRF to bring shared service and infrastructure innovations to the rare cancer research ecosystem. Early in life, Mark established guiding principles to live by, two of which were “make the greatest contribution you can over the course of your lifetime” and to “consider the impact of your decisions on the next seven generations.” RCRF’s mission to provide infrastructure solutions for all rare cancers, not just the one he was diagnosed with, demonstrates how fully Mark integrated these principles into his values and life.
Beyond RCRF, Mark served as a founder, partner, advisor and builder of a wide range of organizations, including Modern Energy, that seek to address critical social and environmental problems on five continents. Mark deeply inspired those around him and touched countless hearts and minds globally.
We have lost an exceptional individual – an extraordinary leader, visionary, advocate, mentor, and friend. For those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him, Mark’s absence leaves an immeasurable void. As we navigate this difficult time, we find comfort in the lasting light of Mark’s vision for a significantly better future for rare cancer patients. We at RCRF plan to honor Mark’s legacy by working to fulfill that vision and promise.
If you wish to contribute in his memory, Mark and his family have requested contributions to rarecancer.org in lieu of flowers,
Mark Joseph Laabs
October 27, 1983 – February 20, 2024
