About Us

Mario V. Chalmers Foundation

Youth and Breast Cancer Awareness Initiatives

The mission of the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation is to create and support community based programs that encourage the positive development of youth through sports and education and fund initiatives for breast cancer research and treatment. The Mario V. Chalmers Foundation youth initiatives and breast cancer awareness fundraisers are held throughout the year with exciting events such as golf tournaments, mixers and summer basketball camps. The Mario V. Chalmers Foundation strives to empower, inspire and enable youth to live healthy lifestyles, put education first and give back to their communities. Each activity supported by the Mario V. Chalmers Foundation will encourage youth to stay positive and remind them that in times of adversity…we must perform.

The Chalmers Family: Almarie, Mario & Roneka Chalmers.
Not Pictured: Ronnie Chalmers

Mario’s Closet – Renewing Confidence

Mario’s Closet is a place for feeling good.

It started when former KU basketball player Mario Chalmers began playing in the NBA and started a foundation as his way to give back. Mario’s best friend mother, Pauline Peterson, had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Mrs. Pauline, who lost her battle with the disease in 2006, was like a second mother to Mario. The Mario V Chalmers Foundation provided initial funding to build this specialty shop at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and his goal to make cancer patients feel good about themselves became a reality.

Mario’s Closet opened in July 2011 as a place for people going through cancer treatment. It provides affordable options for wigs, prosthetics and post-surgical garments. It also is a nice place to shop for healthy lifestyle items, hats, cards, journals and more. It’s success is because of personal connections. Twelve volunteers staff the shop, several of whom are cancer survivors. People often find it helpful to make connection with someone who has gone through what they are going through.

Financial contributions are always welcome; they help provide superior service and experiences for our patients and the communities.

To donate, please visit www.lmhendowment.org/donate. If interested in volunteering please contact Lawrence Memorial Hospital Volunteer Services at 785.505.3141.