In loving memory of our nonprofit’s namesake and in honor of Edison High School’s 2021 graduating class, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is making 10 separate $2,021 donations totaling $20,210 to organizations who share our mission of helping children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Marisa, who survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to cancer in 2017, would have been a senior at Edison High School this year.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation did not request a single penny from the upperclassmen.

All we asked was their time to select a beneficiary from a menu of options our nonprofit provided. The selections were as varied as the Class of 2021’s diverse background.

As a result of this “graduation project,” which Edison High School’s administration supported and helped us facilitate by affording seniors an opportunity to participate, part of the Class of 2021’s legacy will be the “gift of giving.”

The donations are in celebration of the academic and extracurricular accomplishments of Edison High School’s extraordinary senior class.

Beneficiaries of the $2,021 donations are listed below in alphabetical order:

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
  • Hands of Hope Food Pantry
  • Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County
  • Kiddie Keep Well Camp
  • Lakeview School, a program of the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities
  • Make-A-Wish New Jersey
  • PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital
  • Raritan Bay Area YMCA
  • Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
  • Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center

ABOUT THE MARISA TUFARO FOUNDATION

Established on July 30, 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has already made a profound impact, donating more than $220,000 to help pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The tax-exempt nonprofit, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies and other items for donation upon which the foundation has placed no monetary value.

The foundation has awarded 31 college academic scholarships in Marisa’s name to high school seniors and an additional 13 scholarships for elementary and middle school students to attend a week-long summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

ABOUT MARISA TUFARO

Marisa was born with a complex cardiac defect that required six open-heart surgeries. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa was a well-rounded honor-roll student at James Monroe Elementary School and Herbert Hoover Middle School who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

After her sixth open-heart surgery, Marisa developed two life-threatening conditions that necessitated a heart transplant. The transplant, which was supposed to extend Marisa’s life, tragically cut it short when a postoperative complication developed into a rare form of cancer known as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

After radiation and chemotherapy treatments failed to thwart the relentless onslaught of the aggressive disease, which riddled her brain and body, Marisa succumbed to her illness following a valiant battle on January 30, 2017. She was just 13 years old.

ABOUT EDISON HIGH SCHOOL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR NONPROFIT

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is eternally grateful for the support it has received from the entire Edison school-community.

The football team has joined our nonprofit for 5K fundraising walks and food drives. The swimming program has participated in county-wide fundraising swim-a-thons. The bowling team took part in season-opening tournaments that served as fundraisers for our nonprofit and as holiday toy drives for pediatric patients. The girls basketball team partnered with our foundation to collect baby-care items for families in need. Members of the boys basketball, baseball, wrestling and other sports teams have also participated in fundraising events for our nonprofit.

Administrators, faculty, staff, students, and their parents have donated to our foundation or volunteered to assist at events.

“Our kids come together because we know Marisa is with us,” Edison High School Principal Charles Ross said.  “She’s still a part of our community and we take care of our own.”

Congratulations and thank you Eagles. Best wishes in your future endeavors. Continue soaring to new heights.

An angel will be flying alongside you.