The Marisa Tufaro Foundation commemorated what would have been its namesake’s birthday on July 30 with a generous donation to support pediatric patients and their families at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Reflecting the foundation’s longstanding commitment to improving the lives of children and families facing serious illness, the transformational gift will enhance critical programs that provide comfort, healing, and emotional support to pediatric patients throughout their healthcare journey.

Funding will enhance art and music therapy programming, expand Child Life resources that help children cope with hospitalization and medical procedures, and bolster bereavement services for families navigating loss.

By investing in these innovative therapeutic and supportive initiatives, the foundation is helping ensure young patients receive comprehensive, patient-centered care that extends beyond medical treatment.

“We are profoundly grateful to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation for this extraordinary gift, which beautifully honors Marisa’s vibrant legacy on her birthday,” said Barbara Romito, MA, CCLS, Child Life Director at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. “Our Child Life teams see firsthand how art, music, and therapeutic play transform a child’s hospital experience from intimidating to comforting. This generous support ensures we can expand these vital programs, providing the compassionate, holistic care that Marisa herself championed.”

The donation will support four key pediatric initiatives:

Enhance Creative Arts Therapy

The gift will strengthen the hospital’s creative arts therapy program by providing instruments, art supplies, adaptive equipment, and interactive accessories that transform hospital spaces into welcoming environments where creativity and healing flourish. Through individualized sessions tailored to each child’s unique needs, creative arts therapy encourages self-expression, reduces stress and anxiety, and provides meaningful emotional outlets throughout treatment.

Expand Music Therapy Programming

Funding will expand music therapy services by increasing hours for a per diem music therapist, allowing more pediatric patients at both The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital and the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center to experience the therapeutic benefits of music. Music therapy has been shown to ease pain and anxiety, promote emotional well-being, and provide comfort for children during hospitalizations and treatment.

Fund Bereavement Support

The donation will strengthen bereavement services for families experiencing the loss of a loved one. The funding will provide thoughtfully curated keepsakes, remembrance materials, and supportive resources that help families honor meaningful memories while navigating grief. Recognizing that loss affects every member of the family, the hospital’s Child Life program also provides dedicated support to the children of adult patients receiving care, ensuring younger family members receive compassionate guidance during difficult times.

Provide Child Life Distraction and Coping Resources

The gift will also fund Child Life distraction items that help reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures and extended hospital stays. Sensory tools, comfort objects, toys, games, books, bubbles, and procedural preparation materials help children better understand their care, remain calm during treatments, and celebrate important milestones throughout their healthcare journey.

“The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to make this investment in the children and families the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and The Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital serve,” said Cyndi and Greg Tufaro, who founded the nonprofit in loving memory of their daughter. “Every child deserves access to programs that provide hope, comfort, and moments of joy during some of life’s most difficult challenges. We are proud to support the dedicated teams whose outstanding efforts help children heal not only physically, but emotionally as well.”

The donation has special meaning to the Tufaro family because Marisa immensely benefited from music therapy, art therapy, Child Life programs, and distraction and coping resources during hospitalizations at multiple medical centers, including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.

She was also under the loving care for her entire life of Joseph Gaffney, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer after a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Established nine and a half years ago in Marisa’s loving memory and to keep alive her indomitable spirit, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has 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 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, children’s books, school supplies and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $41,500 in scholarships to exceptional high school seniors who have 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.