New foundation honors late attorney Michael P. Schostok
After watching his friend and employer lose his battle to a brain tumor, Lake Villa resident T.J. Saye did not want to see another person go through the same tragedy.
Saye decided to start the Michael Matters Foundation in honor of Michael P. Schostok, a Lake County attorney. The two had worked together for many years at the law offices of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard before Michael succumbed to a brain tumor in July 2012.
Signs of a tumor started when, a month after turning 50 years old, Schostok began having difficulty recalling words and remembering past incidents. After a trip to the emergency room, Schostok was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor — an inoperable, advanced malignant tumor.
“A few days earlier Michael was a happy, completely healthy person, one of the top trial lawyers in Illinois,” said Saye, the foundation’s president.
“Then, in the blink of an eye, he was fighting for his life. It was an extremely challenging and scary situation, not just for Michael, but for his family, friends, co-workers and everyone else who loved and respected him.”
Each year, more than 180,000 brain tumors — malignant and benign — are diagnosed in the United States. Of those, about 36,000 are considered primary, meaning the tumors started in the brain. Glioblastoma multiforme, the type of tumor Schostok was diagnosed with, is the most common and deadliest primary brain tumor in adults, accounting for 16 percent of all tumors. The relative survival rate is 35 percent for one year, 13 percent for two years and nearly 5 percent for five years.
Schostok lived 15 months after his diagnosis.
On Sunday, May 5, the Michael Matters Foundation will join the National Walk to End Brain Tumors for its first fundraising event — the Michael Matters 5K Stadium Walk.
The walk will be at the Schaumburg Boomers baseball stadium. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the walk scheduled to start at noon.
Michael Matters Foundation board member Jackie Bange, a WGN Channel 9 news anchor, will be master of ceremonies and The Llamas, Schostok’s favorite band, is scheduled to perform.
In addition to live entertainment, registration for the event includes a T-shirt, raffle, face painting and inflatable kids’ zone activities. Stadium concessions and kiosks will also be open for food, soda and beer sales.
“This is a disease that can strike anyone at any time,” said Saye. “My hope is that working together in Michael’s name, we can increase awareness for brain tumors, raise money to find a cure, and offer help to those suffering. Please join us.”
To register for the walk, make a donation, or become a sponsor, visit MichaelMatters.org. Saye may be reached at (312) 372-1921 or tjsaye@michaelmatters.org.