Foundation Donates $500K Before Closing in Marisa's Name

After nine years of turning grief into good, a New Jersey foundation has donated $500,000 to help sick children before closing its doors with gratitude and grace.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation announced it has officially completed its charitable mission in Edison, having transformed one family's loss into a lifeline for thousands of pediatric patients and children in need throughout Middlesex County.

Marisa Tufaro lived a vibrant life despite being born with a complex heart defect. She survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant, maintained honor roll status, and inspired everyone around her before passing away from cancer at just 13 years old on January 30, 2017.

Her parents, Cyndi and Greg Tufaro, established the foundation on what would have been Marisa's 14th birthday. Their goal was simple: keep their daughter's indomitable spirit alive by helping other children in need.

The foundation's impact stretched far beyond its monetary donations. Volunteers collected thousands of toys, winter coats, baby supplies, children's books, and school supplies for families struggling through medical crises. The nonprofit awarded $41,500 in scholarships to 57 exceptional high school seniors and sent 34 younger students to summer art camp at Rutgers University.

Fundraisers ranged from tiny lemonade stands on suburban streets to league-wide sports tournaments. Community members embraced Marisa's legacy, hosting dozens of events to support the foundation's mission of bringing comfort to hospitalized children and their families.

The foundation gave back to every hospital that cared for Marisa, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Boston Children's Hospital. Each donation honored the medical teams who fought alongside their brave daughter.

The Ripple Effect

Marisa's story created waves of compassion that touched countless lives. The foundation earned prestigious honors including the Edison Chamber of Commerce's 2024 Organization of the Year Award and was featured in USA TODAY and the Boston Globe.

But the real awards were the lifelong friendships formed and the renewed sense of purpose the foundation brought to grieving parents. "The extraordinary love and support the community poured into the foundation brought us immeasurable comfort and helped carry us through our grief," Cyndi and Greg Tufaro said.

What started as one family's unbearable loss became a source of hope for thousands of children and families facing similar battles.