Mark Masarsky, 18, of Northbrook, came home from the hospital on June 7 after a stay that kept the teen from attending his June 2 Glenbrook North High School (GBN) commencement ceremony in Rosemont at the Rosemont Theatre.
A GoFundMe, as of June 9, has raised $37,619 of a $38,000 goal.
“This illness is a huge shock to everyone but we know Mark is strong and will overcome this,” the fundraiser reads.
From left to right, Mark Masarsky, 18, of Northbrook and of the Glenbrook North High School Class of 2024, with parent Valeria Masarsky at a May 24, 2024 college commitment party at a friend’s Northbrook home. (Photo courtesy of the Masarsky family)
The teen’s mother Valeria Masarsky communicated with Pioneer Press via email.
“Mark missed his high school graduation as it happened on Sunday, June 2,” Valeria Masarsky confirmed, adding Mark was in the “ICU in a medically induced coma that day. His school has been very supportive, teachers and deans reaching out.”
Parents Gary and Valeria Masarsky have lived in Northbrook since 2015.
“But our history with the Northbrook community goes beyond that because I teach as a figure skating coach and my daughter (Ariela Masarsky, 22) has skated at the Northbrook Sports Center since 2008 and Mark has played hockey with Northbrook since 2015,” Valeria Masarsky said.
“We are a skating family, I have skated for the majority of my life being able to represent Latvia in many international competitions, and I was five five-time Latvian champion,” said Mark’s mother, who teaches skating lessons at the Northbrook Park District’s Sports Center. Ariela is also a U.S. National Championship skater who now skates in pairs discipline.
“One of my student’s moms had the idea to set up a GoFundMe for my family to help pay for our bills and to help cover any extra expenses needed for Mark and his future,” Mark’s mother said.
Mark Masarsky, “is very grateful and did not expect this much support from his community,” according to his mother. “Mark is doing better every day, becoming stronger mentally and physically.
“With viral meningitis, the prognosis of full recovery is a lot better than bacterial meningitis.
“But the doctors can’t tell us exactly what’s going to happen because it’s so rare and very individualized,” she said.
“It’s very difficult because we can’t help but worry about his future and we still have a long road of recovery ahead of us but we are determined to get Mark back to where he was and to get stronger,” Mark’s mother said, adding, “Mark has committed to Indiana University and is still expected to be going this fall (fashion industry emphasis).”
He has had a clothing line for about two years at @isolate.studio.
This past May featured milestone moments for Mark including a college commitment party for graduating seniors and prom.
Then with graduation approaching, “We thought Mark had a common cold,” Mark’s mother said,
After a seizure, Mark, “was put on a ventilator and put in a medically induced coma that lasted about 36 hours.
“He was still disoriented and distressed for a few days not realizing where he is or what happened to him and barely being able to speak,” Mark’s mother said.
Then, “he started to get a better understanding of his surroundings but still had short-term amnesia,” his mother said.
“We were very worried he was not going to get back to being himself,” Mark’s mother said, but, “He was able to improve drastically in just three days so much that we got discharged.
“Our plan of having Mark go to rehab every day will help him continue working on the problems he still struggles with such as balance, strength, cognitive ability, speech, processing and controlling emotions that we will be working on for however long it takes,” his mother said.
Reflecting on that Sunday of graduation, June 2, Mark’s mother, “had to inform my students’ parents about what happened and the severity of the situation and that this needed my full attention.
“Everyone was so supportive. Everyone wanted to help in any way they could.
“Our family is very shaken up by this event as it feels like it came out of nowhere since Mark is a very active healthy athlete who went to the gym daily and ate like a healthy 18 year old young man.
“It really showed us that you can’t take life for granted because anything can go wrong in a moment,” Valeria Masarsky said.
“We wanted to express our sincere gratitude for everyone,” Mark’s mother added. “My only wish for Mark is to come out stronger and for people to be aware of how fast medical emergencies can escalate.”
Mark’s family includes two Persian cats, Gizmo, a male, and Roxy, a female, a female Yorkie named Lizzy, and two parakeets, Kesha and Ralphie.
Mark had been skating since 2009 and played Northbrook youth hockey. His mother said he played Glenbrook North Spartans hockey all four years.
For his senior banquet speech, Mark wrote, “Looking back on all the moments at GBN, the top two have to be winning State on JV.
“There’s no other feeling like it, but also coming back and winning against GBS (Glenbrook South High School),” Mark said.
“Being down three goals and coming back in front of all the fans is something I’ll never forget,” Mark also said in his senior speech.
“And lastly to all the underclassmen, don’t take this time for granted.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
