SYOSSET, NY— Local charities are the unsung heroes of our communities. Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations strive to create lasting change and positively impact the lives of those around them.
Some people start organizations as a way to cope with grief, some see an issue they want to tackle, and some want to bring lasting change. Sometimes, all those reasons apply.
Patch wants to highlight your local charity and connect it with community members who want to help and do good, so that way, more people can benefit. Here is just one of many charities doing terrific work in your community.
What is your name?
Gia LoRusso
What is the name of your charity?
Olivia Hope Foundation
What is your position within your charity?
Co-Founder, Social Media Manager
What community is your organization based in
Syosset, NY
Link to your website
www.oliviahope.org
What is your mission?
Olivia Hope Foundation was created to honor the wish of Olivia Hope LoRusso, who passed from Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2017. It was her vision and hope that someday, children afflicted with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and other childhood cancers would not have to suffer the way she did.
Our mission is to fund research aimed at discovering targeted therapies, which have less caustic effects on children, and to improve the quality of life for all children and families suffering from childhood cancer.
Ultimately, we dream of helping to find a cure and ending the impact of this horrible and deadly disease.
What does your charity do to further its mission? Please list examples.
We, at the Olivia Hope Foundation, employ several strategies to advance our mission:
Raising Awareness: Our foundation is dedicated to shedding light on the hardships faced by children battling cancer. To achieve this, we engage in awareness campaigns, employ social media and other communication avenues to inform the public, and actively participate in events and conferences to champion our cause.
Collaboration: Collaboration is key to our mission’s success. We join forces with patients, caregivers, medical professionals, other foundations, and influential figures to amplify our message. These collaborative endeavors encompass joint awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts, all aimed at maximizing our impact.
Supporting Patients and Families: Our commitment extends beyond awareness to offering vital support to children and families impacted by childhood cancer. We provide comprehensive assistance, which includes financial support, access to counseling services, educational resources, and emotional aid, assisting families in navigating the complexities of childhood cancer.
Fundraising: To finance our multifaceted initiatives, including research, awareness campaigns, and patient support, we engage in fundraising activities. These efforts encompass organizing charity events, soliciting contributions from individuals and organizations, and seeking grants and sponsorships.
Together, these actions contribute significantly to our overarching goal of addressing the challenges faced by childhood cancer patients and driving positive change through research, advocacy, and support.
What inspired you to start your charity?
Olivia was a happy, healthy 11-year-old girl. She loved baking and playing with her twin sister, she loved late night slumber parties with her older sister, Gia. Olivia was all about family. Her favorite place to be was in the Hamptons with her family, cousins and close friends. She looked forward to summers and beach days.
She loved animals, especially her cat, Milo. She played the flute and was the only one in her school band that played the flute, and she loved that. Olivia always wanted to make everyone around her happy, whether it was by baking them something sweet to eat or just telling them how much she loved them. Sometimes when her cousins would come over she they would play “spa day,” and she would give them all foot massages. She truly had a servant’s heart. We all deeply miss her.
While she was going through her cancer treatments she decided she wanted become a pediatric oncologist because she wanted to help find a cure for pediatric cancers. This is why we started the Olivia Hope Foundation.
How can people help you accomplish your organization’s mission or get involved in events?
To get involved in supporting the Olivia Hope Foundation’s mission and events, individuals can consider the following ways:
Volunteer: Many charitable organizations, including foundations like Olivia Hope, often rely on volunteers to help with various activities such as organizing events, providing support to patients and families, or assisting with administrative tasks. Individuals can inquire about volunteer opportunities directly with the foundation.
Donate: Contributions in the form of monetary donations are often critical to the success of nonprofit organizations. Donations can be one-time or recurring, and they help fund research, awareness campaigns, and support services.
Participate in Fundraising Events: Keep an eye out for fundraising events organized by the Olivia Hope Foundation. These events can include charity runs, walks, galas, and online campaigns. Participating or donating to these events is a tangible way to support the cause.
Spread Awareness: Help raise awareness about childhood cancer and the foundation’s mission by sharing their messages on social media, attending awareness events, or simply talking to friends and family about the cause.
Offer Expertise: If individuals possess specific skills or expertise that could benefit the foundation, such as marketing, event planning, or medical knowledge, they might consider offering their services on a volunteer basis.
Attend Foundation Events: Attend events organized by the foundation, such as fundraisers, educational seminars, or patient support gatherings. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about the cause and network with like-minded individuals.
Advocate for the Cause: Individuals can become advocates for childhood cancer research and support by contacting their local representatives and urging them to prioritize funding for research and support services.
Start Fundraising Campaigns: Individuals can initiate their fundraising campaigns, whether it’s through social media, crowdfunding platforms or organizing local community fundraisers.
Collaborate: If individuals are part of other organizations, clubs, or businesses, they can explore partnership opportunities or collaboration with the Olivia Hope Foundation to amplify the impact of their efforts.
To get involved or find out more about specific ways to support the Olivia Hope Foundation, individuals can typically visit the foundation’s official website, contact us directly, or follow their social media channels for updates on events and opportunities to contribute to their mission.
What is the most memorable moment you’ve had since starting your organization?
The standout moment in our organization’s history occurred during our gala when we successfully raised $100,000 in just 10 minutes through a paddle raise. The significance of this achievement lies in our subsequent donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where the funds were instrumental in repurposing a drug that ultimately led to leukemia patients achieving remission.
What else would you like people to know about your charity?
As a member of the Olivia Hope Foundation, here are some additional important points we would like people to know about our charity:
Our Impact: We are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer. Our initiatives are designed to address the challenges faced by patients, support families, and drive research breakthroughs.
Transparency: We are committed to transparency in our operations. We strive to ensure that donations are used effectively and efficiently to further our mission. Detailed financial reports and updates on our activities are regularly shared with our supporters.
Community: Our foundation thrives on the support of a compassionate and engaged community. We encourage individuals from all walks of life to join our cause, whether as volunteers, donors, or advocates. Together, we can achieve more.
Research and Innovation: A core aspect of our mission is funding research. We actively support innovative projects and collaborate with medical professionals to advance treatments and find new solutions for childhood cancer.
Patient-Centered Approach: We place patients and their families at the heart of our work. Our support services are tailored to address their unique needs and challenges, aiming to provide not only medical but also emotional and financial assistance.
Advocacy: We are actively engaged in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the importance of childhood cancer research and support. We believe that advocating for policy changes can lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Events and Initiatives: Throughout the year, we organize various events and campaigns to engage our community and raise funds for our cause. These events provide opportunities for supporters to get involved and make a difference.
Long-Term Commitment: Our dedication to the fight against childhood cancer is unwavering. We are in this for the long haul, committed to driving positive change, improving treatments, and ultimately finding a cure.
Join Us: We invite anyone who shares our passion for making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer to join us in our mission. Your support, whether big or small, can have a profound impact on the lives of those we aim to help.
By being a part of the Olivia Hope Foundation, you are contributing to a cause that strives to provide hope, support, and ultimately better outcomes for children facing the challenges of cancer. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a brighter future for these young patients and their families.
What are your organization’s social media pages or handles?
@oliviahopefoundation
Do you help run a charity?
Nominate it here or share this link with someone who does.
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