In 2010, Milton Marks III was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and he, along with his wife and three young sons, began a two-year journey that profoundly changed their lives. Over the course of his lifetime, Milton was recognized as a civic and community leader and it is in the memory of his passion to help others that his wife Abigail began a mission to better understand and meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. Her vision evolved into a camp where families living with brain cancer can come together and find respite in a holistic environment. Together, with members of the UCSF Neuro-Oncology medical and nursing teams, and others interested in improving the quality of life of brain tumor patients and their families, Abby's vision became a reality. Since its inception in Fall 2014, thirty families have attended the Milton Marks Family Camp; some families have attended multiple times.

The Milton Marks Neuro-Oncology Family Camp is under the fiscal sponsorship of  Community Initiatives, a 501(c)3 non-profit.