Marisa was born with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. The complex cardiac defect required six open-heart surgeries. After her sixth surgery, Marisa developed two life-threatening conditions known as protein-losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis. Ultimately, she required a heart transplant. The transplant was supposed to extend Marisa’s life, but 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. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Since its inception as a tax-exempt nonprofit and public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) in 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation made a profound impact, donating $500,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The nonprofit, which made community service an integral part of its mission, also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, children’s books, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it placed no monetary value.
In addition, the foundation awarded $41,500 in scholarships to 57 exceptional high school seniors who helped children in need and sent 34 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
We encourage you to read in detail about the foundation’s initiatives – each of which in some way reflects Marisa’s inspirational life – by clicking on the provided links.
OUR MISSION
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation commemorated what would have been Marisa’s 14th birthday on July 30, 2017 by unveiling its mission statement and strategic plan to help children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area. Community service is an integral part of the foundation’s mission.
Through the generosity of others, who have donated or participated in fundraising events, our nonprofit corporation, since its inception on July 30, 2017, has already made a profound impact, donating more than $400,000 and spearheading multiple community initiatives to assist pediatric patients and other children in need. The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is exempt from federal income tax and recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
As the foundation continues to grow, so will its outreach. We ask that you please visit this website with frequency to keep abreast of future endeavors.
We encourage you to read in detail about our initiatives – each of which in some way reflects Marisa’s inspirational life – by clicking on the links we have provided.
LATEST ARTICLES
Edison High School Staff Honors Principal Charles Ross with Generous Retirement Fundraiser Benefiting Marisa Tufaro Foundation and St. Baldrick’s Foundation
As he prepares to retire following a distinguished career in education, Edison High School Principal [...]
Sayreville’s Sofia Muller is Marisa Tufaro Memorial Community Service Scholarship recipient
When a newly arrived student from Egypt sat alone in her second-grade class, struggling to [...]
Marisa Tufaro Classic bowling tournament raises nearly $3,000 for pediatric patients and children in need
The Marisa Tufaro Classic, a scholastic bowling tournament contested at the start of the 2025-26 [...]
Piscataway’s Kylie Passman is Marisa Tufaro Foundation GMC Student-Athlete Scholarship recipient
Kylie Passman played field hockey and softball at Piscataway High School, so she’s used to [...]



































































































