Member of the Board of Associates at
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
The Marlyn R. Fein Chapter was established in September 1976, and is inspired to this day by the life and courage of Marlyn Chakov Fein (1950-1976).
In September 1970, Marlyn was a beautiful, vivacious 19-year-old student and model. That month she learned she had osteogenic sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Doctors gave her a 50/50 chance of surviving one year, provided she undergo an above-the-knee amputation. She underwent the procedure, determined to beat the odds. But by spring 1972, the cancer was discovered to have spread to Marlyn’s lungs. A combination of treatments involving cobalt, chemotherapy, and radiation left her physically weak but did not diminish her resolve - or her spirit. Despite these aggressive treatments, Marlyn developed a brain tumor in 1973.
The following year, Marlyn and Frank Fein married. They enjoyed more than a year of relative good health before Marlyn’s cancer again encroached on her young life.
By the latter part of 1975, it was clear Marlyn’s cancer had entered a terminal stage. In December, she entered the hospital for a procedure that would alleviate pain undiminished by morphine. Soon after, doctors informed her that she was 7 months pregnant. On December 21, Marlyn gave birth to her daughter, Rachel. Marlyn and Frank and their friends and family marveled at this beautiful baby, premature but healthy despite all the toxins that Marlyn had been subjected to throughout her cancer treatments. Rachael is thriving; married with two beautiful, healthy children and an active member of the chapter bearing her mother's name.
Marlyn made Faith the baby’s middle name - chosen to reflect the deep trust in God that had sustained her throughout her journey with cancer. She continued to draw strength from her faith even in her final days. Marlyn died on January 23, 1976. She was just 25.
Please visit our website and encourage your friends and family to visit us at www.marlynfeinchapter.org to keep up with what we are doing to raise funds. If you wish to join us in our efforts, please contact our president, Penny Fisher, at either 215 342 4231 or email peff48@comcast.net. I would be pleased to discuss all the things our volunteers do throughout the year to benefit the Fox Chase Center Center.
