Marc Thomas
Founder & CEO Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation
Founder & CEO Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation
Founder & CEO Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation
Marc Thomas, Founder and CEO of the Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation was born May 17, 1958, in Oakland, California. At the age of 3, Marc was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. It was during Marc’s high school days that he first met Linda and she became his beloved wife. Told by doctors he could never marry or have a family, Marc was truly blessed with three wonderful children; De’drienne, Marc II, and Alysian; he also has six grandchildren. His family was his inspiration, motivation, and his greatest joy.
By profession, Marc was a payroll and benefits manager for over 20 years. He was the founder of the Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation and the Pastor of Foundation of God Ministries in Austin, Texas. Marc noticed a desperate need in central Texas for advocacy for Sickle Cell patients. Often persons with Sickle Cell Disease had no liaison between some doctors and themselves to explain the severity of the disease. Sickle Cell Disease often carried stigmas with which some doctors were ill-informed and the level of care for Sickle Cell patients was inadequate. Marc Thomas became that liaison and championed for this underrepresented population even with congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, and being required to wear oxygen 24 hours per day. He was appointed to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Board in our Nation’s capital. Marc committed his life to serve God, his family, and others. His beautiful personality, pleasant demeanor, and love for all captured every heart he met.
In recognition and appreciation of his distinguished service, the City of Austin and the State of Texas honored him with a resolution and declared May 17th Marc Thomas Day. This is only a small glimpse of what this great man has accomplished throughout his life for his family, church, businesses, and community. All of his achievements and endeavors are too numerous to possibly list. Marc committed his life to serve God, his family, and the betterment of all mankind.
Though he accomplished a great deal and truly maximized life, his greatest and proudest accomplishments are the wife of his youth, his three children, and his six grandchildren. His wife describes him as a loving, devoted, Godly man and father. A man of integrity, and a true gentleman, he embodied all that was good. He passed away at age 46 on May 3, 2005.