I cannot put into words the impact that Marshall left on everyone he came across. His passing has truly left a hole in my heart, and I lost a friend on that can never be replaced. His heart was made of gold, he had goals larger than life and was one of a kind.

I first met Marshall at the CCFF Gold Ribbon Gala, the night my cancer journey was being shared. He came up to me afterward, as a total stranger, and gave me a hug, sharing to me how strong I was. Knowing nothing about Marshall, except that he was also a cancer warrior, I immediately recognized that there was something extremely special about him. His smile was contagious, his energy was uplifting, and his personality was that of someone with astonishing resilience and optimism. We talked about our experiences for a while, discovered we shared our birthdays, and soon enough we had each other’s contact information and planned to meet up.

From advertising Make-A-Wish at baseball games to volunteering at the Gold Ribbon Gala, Marshall focused on making a difference in the world, especially for those with cancer. His goal to become an oncologist was something truly special, since he was a cancer fighter himself. He wasn’t going for the money, but to prevent others from suffering and help those who are
suffering. Despite his cancer journeys, he worked extremely hard for the sake of others. One thing that I will never forget about Marshall is his strength, which I admire every day. When he first found out about his relapse, we took a trip to get breakfast together. Despite being given this news, he was sharing stories about his college life, his new friends, and asking me about new things going on in my life. As concerned as I was about him, he kept a smile on my face by assuring me that this wasn’t his first fight. Even after his lung surgery, his attitude was positive, as if a sliver was removed from a finger. Marshall was a fighter like no other, every second of his life.

 

Despite Marshall not being here physically, there is no doubt that he is still with us. On the good days and bad days, I feel Marshall by my side. The last time I stopped over to see him, we watched an episode or two of Lilo and Stitch. When I went back to school, I saw a Stitch stuffed animal sitting on top of a fire extinguisher in a random hallway. I thought, “what a coincidence?” Later that day, I went up to my dorm, on the opposite side of campus, and that Stitch stuffed animal was sitting in the hallway next to the 5th floor elevator. At this point, I knew it was no coincidence; Marshall was letting me know he was with me.
Marshall’s passing is extremely difficult, no doubt. I miss his smile, laughs, hugs, and our conversations.