CHICAGO (July 12, 2025) – The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation (CJDF) has honored Mark Corum with the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. Corum serves as the Vice President of Marketing & Brand Strategy for Hall Ambulance. CJDF President Debbie Yobs presented the award during the non-profit organization’s annual family conference at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare last Saturday evening. The conference gathers family members affected by CJD and PhD medical researchers who share the latest advancements in prion disease and CJD.
“When people ask, How can I help?’ we often suggest that they get involved in Strides for CJD, awareness raising, or advocacy with policymakers,” Yobs said during the presentation. “Mark Corum has done all of those things and more, with an impact that’s hard to measure.”
Corum became a devoted advocate for CJD after the sudden passing of Bakersfield’s 25th Mayor and Hall Ambulance founder, Harvey L. Hall, whom he respected as both a mentor and longtime employer. Hall became ill on April 17, 2018, and just two weeks and seven hours after being diagnosed with sporadic CJD, he passed away on May 19, 2018.
In support of the Hall family, Corum joined Mrs. Hall as co-hosts of Strides for CJD – Bakersfield, one of nearly two dozen walks held across the United States each October. These events allow individuals affected by the disease to come together to walk in memory of or in honor of their loved ones. Under their leadership, Team Big H in Memory of Harvey L. Hall has been recognized as the Top Fundraising Team in the United States for the past seven years. Their efforts have raised over half a million dollars to support medical research and programs of the CJD Foundation.
Corum has also generated annual media coverage, helping to raise awareness about CJD and Strides for CJD. In 2024, he produced a video titled My CJD Journey – Lavonne C. Hall, which premiered at the previous year’s CJD Family Conference in Washington, D.C. The video chronicled her extensive efforts to combat CJD through legislative work, fundraising, and supporting medical research through grant funding.
Yobs noted that Corum has also built significant and impactful relationships on Capitol Hill. “Among other accomplishments, he is responsible for engaging the lead sponsor [Congressman David Valadao], who presented the CJD Awareness Day Resolution on the floor of the House of Representatives last year [and in 2023],” she said.
Corum was blindsided by the recognition, stating, “I am truly humbled to be recognized by the CJD Foundation for my efforts. It wouldn’t have been possible without Mrs. Hall’s leadership and unbridled support,” Corum remarked. “As I mentioned to her after the presentation, I wish I had never heard the letters C, J, and D put together, but here we are. Since getting involved and attending these family conferences, I have met and listened to personal stories of many affected by this devastating disease, which currently has no treatment or cure. My hope is that my efforts will keep the conversation about CJD alive as the dedicated PhD medical researchers work tirelessly to find a treatment or cure for prion disease—and they will!”
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