named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Care Package Delivery
Sends personalized boxes of toys, activities, and comfort items to children undergoing cancer treatment to lift their spirits.
Family Support and Advocacy
Offers emotional support, hospital and Ronald McDonald House visits, and connections to other families navigating pediatric cancer.
Financial Assistance Program
Provides direct financial support to families for medical travel, housing, and living expenses during cancer treatment.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Research Funding
Raises funds specifically for pediatric cancer research trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Whimsical Experiences Program
Organizes special trips and experiences, such as Disney visits, for children with limited treatment options to create joyful memories.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 2 activities
- Distributing personalized care packages to pediatric cancer patientsCreates and delivers customized care packages containing toys, activities, and personalized items to children undergoing cancer treatment to improve morale and provide emotional support. These packages are tailored to individual preferences and delivered during treatment or at home.
- Providing port-accessible clothing for pediatric cancer patientsDesigns and distributes specially made dresses, known as Uni-Port dresses, that allow easy access to medical ports while being comfortable and whimsical. These are provided through a sponsorship program to support children’s dignity and self-expression during treatment.
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Cancer Awareness and Education Initiatives 2 activities
- Operating the Tessa Legacy Angel Ambassador programRuns the Tessa Legacy Angel Ambassador program to honor Tessa’s memory and advance the organization’s mission by engaging businesses and supporters in efforts to assist families affected by pediatric cancer.
- Raising awareness and advocating for pediatric cancer fundingConducts advocacy and awareness campaigns to promote funding and public attention for pediatric cancer, including social media outreach and public commitments to continue the fight for a cure in honor of individuals like Tessa.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Delivering birthday and holiday celebration supportSends Birthday Boxes with festive decorations, accessories, and surprises to help children celebrate birthdays during treatment. Also provides Christmas support, including adopted-family celebrations and holiday surprises, to promote emotional well-being and inclusion during holidays.
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Cancer Research Funding 1 activity
- Funding pediatric cancer researchFunds pediatric cancer research at institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering to advance the development of safer and more effective treatments for children. This includes raising funds through events like the New York City Marathon to support research initiatives.
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Animal-Assisted Support Services 1 activity
- Providing emotional and psychosocial support through hospital and home visitsConducts interactive, presence-based visits to children undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals or at home, offering emotional comfort and companionship. These visits aim to bring joy and normalize the experience of illness through direct engagement and animal-assisted interactions.
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Financial and Emotional Support for Bereaved Families 1 activity
- Providing financial and material assistance to families affected by pediatric cancerOffers direct financial and material support to families, including assistance with mortgage payments, travel costs, funeral and medical expenses, and room makeovers to create safe and comforting recovery environments. These efforts aim to reduce economic strain during treatment and bereavement.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$19K
Contributions & grants$18K93%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$1K7%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$33K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$23K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$17K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -41.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Joseph D Saggio — Director
- Ralph A Rosella — Director
- Seth Belous — Director
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- Help and Hope Happen Here Partner — Collaborated with the podcast to share the founder's story and mission.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Partner — Collaborates with researchers and medical staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering on pediatric cancer research and patient support.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Partner — Funds pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering to develop safer, more effective treatments for children.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Partner — Supported families seeking treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering through fundraising and awareness initiatives.
- Ronald McDonald House Partner — Provided direct support to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
- Tessa Partner — Honors Tessa as the inspirational catalyst for the organization's mission and programs.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Awareness Through Viral Engagementmethodology: awareness_through-viral-engagementBy leveraging viral dance challenges and social media movements, the organization generates widespread awareness and advocacy for pediatric cancer, because emotionally resonant, participatory campaigns drive public engagement more effectively than traditional outreach.
- Donor-Direct Impact Modelmethodology: donor_direct_impactBy ensuring 100% of donations go directly to children—eliminating administrative overhead—the organization maximizes donor trust and impact, because visible, direct allocation of funds strengthens giving behavior and engagement.
- Integrated Research and Family Supportmethodology: integrated_research_and_family_supportBy combining funding for pediatric cancer research with direct emotional and material support for families, the organization advances both medical progress and holistic well-being, because addressing both scientific and human dimensions compounds overall impact.
- Legacy-Driven Mission Engagementmethodology: legacy-driven_engagementBy centering the organization’s mission on honoring Tessa’s legacy, the organization sustains long-term commitment and action, because personal, narrative-driven purpose deepens emotional investment from donors, volunteers, and families.
- Psychosocial Support Through Joy and Symbolic Affirmationmethodology: psychosocial_support_through_joyBy providing joyful experiences, symbolic reframing (e.g., unicorns), and personalized celebrations, the organization strengthens emotional well-being in pediatric cancer patients because affirming identity and creating moments of magic counteracts trauma and isolation.