As a way of giving back to the Rutgers University baseball program, whose roster features several players that have supported our nonprofit, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation announced today that it will match the Scarlet Knights’ current fundraising efforts with a donation of up to $5,000 to Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital’s child life program.
Rutgers’ series opener against Big Ten opponent Northwestern at Bainton Field tomorrow will culminate the Scarlet Knights’ months-long fundraising effort for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Vs. Cancer program.
Half of Rutgers’ fundraising proceeds will support child life programs at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, and the other half will help fund groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors, the deadliest childhood cancer.
The Scarlet Knights are accepting donations online. Rutgers has been involved with Vs. Cancer since 2013 and raised more than $47,000 through the years.
Sophomore lefthander Harry Rutkowski, a 2017 Woodbridge High School graduate, will start the series opener against Northwestern.
Rutkowski wears two commemorative bracelets on his right wrist, a pink one in honor of Marisa Tufaro, whose life cancer claimed two years ago at the age of 13, and a black one in honor of current Woodbridge High School senior Ben Lepisto, who is winning a protracted and grueling battle with brain cancer.
Lepisto is scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the start of tomorrow’s game against Northwestern.
Two years ago, Rutkowski and former Perth Amboy High School star Chris Brito, who is now Rutgers’ starting first baseman, participated in a Greater Middlesex Conference charity all-star baseball doubleheader that raised money for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, whose mission is to help children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
One year earlier, Brito and Rutkowski participated in a similar event that raised money to help cover the Lepisto family’s medical expenses.
Through their fundraising efforts, Rutgers baseball players, who have already raised more than $4,100, have also heightened awareness about pediatric cancer, which claims the lives of more children in the United States than any other disease.
The funds that the Rutgers baseball program raises and that The Marisa Tufaro Foundation matches for Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital’s child life program will support instruction and supplies for the hospital’s art therapy program.
Art therapy provides therapeutic, healing benefits for patients. Art therapy can help patients open up and share their thoughts, feelings and perceptions about their hospitalization or illness through the creative process. Opening up through art can alleviate stress, anxiety, emotional distress and potentially minimize pain. Art therapy can also help distract patients who are undergoing medical treatments or infusions.
“Expanding our art therapy program adds another dimension to the service we can provide to support our children, especially with patients who have acute psychological needs,” said Barbara Romito, Director of Child Life at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. “Programs like art therapy offer children ways to express themselves so they can cope with their hospital experience.”
Marisa, who would have been a sophomore this year at Edison High School, 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, she lived a vibrant life that inspired. After her sixth surgery, Marisa developed two life-threatening conditions that necessitated a heart transplant. A postoperative complication developed into a rare form of cancer that riddled her brain and body. Marisa succumbed to her illness following a valiant battle on Jan. 30, 2017.
“Marisa endured many stays in the hospital and art therapists played a major role in helping her cope and develop a passion for art,” said her father, Greg, who is a sports writer for USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey. “We are thankful to have the opportunity to honor Marisa’s memory by supporting programs that will assist thousands of children and families who receive treatment at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital each year.”
An exceptional artist who excelled at drawing, Marisa took summer classes at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum, where her work was once showcased in a gallery. Marisa’s ambition was to attend an arts college, and while God’s plan didn’t allow her to make it to one, her work did. A piece Marisa constructed with a New York City School of Visual Arts graduate student during an art therapy session in the hospital was displayed at the 2017 “Your Turn” exhibit at the college’s Flatiron Gallery in Manhattan.
Several former Rutgers baseball players, including recent Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Doug Alongi, who was a college teammate of current Scarlet Knights’ head coach Joe Litterio, have also supported The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
Alongi spearheaded a gift card drive for pediatric patients in Marisa’s loving memory and conducted a separate online fundraiser that generated nearly $2,500 for the tax-exempt nonprofit.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation believes paying forward the generosity of current and former Rutgers baseball players with a matching donation to Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital is a fitting way to give back.
Marisa was under the loving care for her entire life of Joseph Gaffney, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, thus the Tufaro family has a special connection with Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.
Tom Carmean, director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Northeast region, commended the Scarlet Knights on their recent fundraising effort.
“We applaud the efforts and generous spirit of the Rutgers baseball team,” Carmean said. “Vs. Cancer wasn’t just built by athletes for athletes. We were started by a pediatric brain cancer survivor, and we see every day how important family support and research are for children to thrive. With the support of this incredible team, we’re fighting for healthier, happier futures for these kids.”
Former University of North Carolina baseball player Chase Jones, who is a pediatric brain cancer survivor, started Vs. Cancer, which empowers any sports team, any athlete or any community to help kids with cancer.
“I’m proud of the way the team has taken to this initiative,” Litterio said. “Vs. Cancer is a great organization and we are happy to partner again this year. Being part of Rutgers baseball is more than just the games on the field. We also stress the importance of academics and serving the community. The players have done a great job and we look forward to passing along the funds raised towards this cause.”
As the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s mission is to care for families along their journey, cure all childhood brain tumors, and help survivors and families thrive.
In 2016 the Vs. Cancer Foundation merged with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and now is a signature fundraising campaign of the nonprofit.
Since 1991, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation has funded more than $30 million in research to increase survivorship, improve quality of life, and ultimately eliminate pediatric brain tumors.
The nonprofit also provides emotional support, information, resource referrals, and other free services to families, including emergency financial assistance, peer support, and college and vocational scholarships.