The Tragic Legacy Of 'Homemade Everything': Unpacking Mark Carriker’s Battle With SMARCB1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma

Jan 10, 2026 • minute read

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The phrase "homemade everything cancer" is not a reference to a DIY cure or a medical controversy, but rather a poignant, real-life narrative centered on a beloved content creator, Mark Carriker, the man behind the popular YouTube channel, Homemade Everything. His story, which gained widespread attention in the YouTube community, is a testament to his spirit and courage as he documented his battle with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer.

As of the current date in December 2025, Carriker’s legacy continues to resonate, not just for his inventive content—where he hilariously attempted to make everything from scratch—but for his raw, honest documentation of his 18-month fight against a devastating diagnosis. His journey offered a rare, public window into the reality of living with a terminal illness, specifically a little-known malignancy called SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma (SDSC).

Mark Carriker: A Life and Legacy Profile

Mark William Carriker was an American YouTube personality, husband, father, and Christian whose creative endeavors and final, public health battle left a lasting impact on his audience. His channel, Homemade Everything, was known for its unique, often comedic, premise: attempting to build, cook, or create complex items using only rudimentary or "homemade" methods, garnering hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

Full Name: Mark William Carriker
Born: May 24, 1988, in Fredericksburg, Texas, USA.
Education: Attended Texas A&M University, receiving his Aggie Ring in Spring 2011.
Spouse: Jacqueline M. (Phaneuf) Carriker.
YouTube Channel: Homemade Everything (@mcarriker5).
Diagnosis: SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma (SDSC) in 2018.
Died: March 19, 2020, at his home in Boerne, Texas, at the age of 31.
Key Content: Videos documenting his cancer journey, including "I Rode 7 Miles WITH CANCER!" and his "Final Update."

The Aggressive Nature of SMARCB1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma (SDSC)

The specific cancer that Mark Carriker fought—SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma—is a significant entity in the field of oncology and a core component of his story. This diagnosis is not a common cancer but an extremely aggressive and rare subset of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma.

The malignancy is defined by the loss of the SMARCB1 protein, also known as INI-1. This protein is a crucial component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, which plays a vital role in regulating gene expression and tumor suppression.

Why SDSC is an Oncological Challenge

SDSC presents a formidable challenge to medical professionals due to several factors that contribute to its dismal prognosis:

Aggressive Behavior: The tumor is highly aggressive, often presenting with advanced local disease and a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis.

Difficult Diagnosis: Due to its rarity and location within the sinonasal tract (the nasal cavity and surrounding sinuses), early diagnosis is often difficult, as initial symptoms can mimic common sinus infections.

Limited Treatment Response: Studies have shown that SMARCB1-deficient tumors often have a limited response to traditional neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This means the standard pre-surgery drug treatments are less effective at shrinking the tumor.

Poor Prognosis: The median overall survival for patients with this type of sinonasal malignancy is often measured in months, highlighting the severity of the disease Carriker faced.

The Impact of Mark Carriker’s ‘Homemade Everything’ Cancer Journey

Mark Carriker’s decision to openly share his cancer journey transformed his channel's focus, providing a powerful, unvarnished look at life with a terminal illness. His videos became a source of both heartbreak and inspiration for his dedicated audience and the broader YouTube community.

The content was not just about the medical fight; it was about living life fully despite the prognosis. Videos like "I Rode 7 Miles WITH CANCER!" demonstrated his commitment to staying active and positive, encouraging others to "Get off the couch!" His transparency created a deep connection with viewers who followed his chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and the emotional toll on his family, including his wife, Jacqueline.

The Community Response and GoFundMe Campaign

The community support was overwhelming. A GoFundMe campaign was established to help Mark and his family cover the substantial costs associated with his specialized cancer treatment, which included surgery, radiation, and the potential for molecular targeted therapy—an emerging treatment option for SDSC. The campaign successfully rallied thousands of donors, demonstrating the power of the online community to support a creator in need.

The final updates and the subsequent announcement of his passing in March 2020 led to an outpouring of tributes from fellow creators and fans. These videos and archived posts reflect a profound sense of loss but also admiration for his courage and faith throughout the ordeal.

Legacy and the Discussion of Alternative Remedies

While Mark Carriker pursued conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, his story naturally intersects with the broader public discussion surrounding cancer and "homemade" or alternative remedies. The use of natural remedies, herbs, and other supplements is a common topic among patients seeking to manage side effects or find supplemental hope.

It is crucial, however, to distinguish between Mark Carriker's personal battle and the unproven claims of "homemade cures." Medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center consistently advise that alternative treatments, such as certain herbs or supplements, should only be used to help cope with side effects like fatigue, pain, or nausea, and must always be discussed with a healthcare provider. There is no scientific evidence to support claims that any "homemade" remedy can cure cancers like SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma.

Mark Carriker's true "homemade" legacy lies not in a medical cure, but in his ability to craft a deeply human story out of a devastating diagnosis. He used his platform to create a powerful, educational, and inspiring final chapter, showing the world how to face a rare sinonasal malignancy with grace, humor, and unwavering spirit. His videos remain a vital entity in the YouTube landscape, a permanent tribute to a life well-lived and a battle valiantly fought.

The story of "homemade everything cancer" is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the strength found in community, honesty, and the simple act of creating, even when facing the most challenging of circumstances.

The Tragic Legacy of 'Homemade Everything': Unpacking Mark Carriker’s Battle with SMARCB1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma

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