In the News - The Tommy Fund

Alyssa Taglia emcees Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer's Gold Gala

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:02:41 GMT

To read the full article and watch the video on News 8, click HERE

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The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer hosting annual Gold Gala

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:52:53 GMT

The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer hosting annual Gold Gala

Check out Rebecca Santoli and Denise Carr talk on News 8 about this year's annual Gold Gala for the Tommy Fund!

Click HERE to watch the video!

The Tommy Fund: A Legacy of Support and Growth for Pediatric Oncology | Yale Cancer Center

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:13:29 GMT

To read the full article, please click HERE.

Santa Express in Fairfield brings holiday and raises thousands for the Tommy Fund

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:12:46 GMT

An annual holiday tradition in Fairfield this past weekend brought Christmas magic to town

Read the Full Story: HERE

Mother who lost son to leukemia running first marathon in his honor

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:37:59 GMT

Mother who lost son to leukemia running first marathon in his honor

To read the full story, click here: https://www.wfsb.com/2025/09/24/mother-who-lost-son-leukemia-running-first-marathon-his-honor/

Family gets second chance of being together ahead of Closer to Free ride

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:07:08 GMT

Family gets second chance of being together ahead of Closer to Free ride

New Paragraph

Thousands join the 15th Annual Closer to Free Ride

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:02:36 GMT

Thousands join the 15th Annual

Closer to Free Ride

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/thousands-join-the-15th-annual-closer-to-free-ride/ar-AA1M3loo?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Together We Thrive: Connecticut Community Fundraisers Make Positive Impact

communications@tommyfund.org — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 19:27:54 GMT

Together We Thrive: Connecticut Community Fundraisers Make Positive Impact

During the holiday season, while many enjoy exchanging gifts and celebrating, others face a very different reality. Receiving medical care, paying bills, and having enough food can be a daunting struggle for some members of various communities, including Madison community in Connecticut.

To help those in need this past holiday season, particularly children, Madison Public Schools in Connecticut has teamed up with fundraisers to do just that.

“Hats For Hope”

For the last two years, Madison Public Schools has participated in “Hats for Hope” a district-wide fundraiser organized by a student at Polson Middle School to benefit The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer . Created by firefighters in 1953 to honor Tommy Mozdzierz, the first child diagnosed with leukemia in Connecticut, The Tommy Fund provides emotional, educational, medical, and financial support to local pediatric cancer patients and their families receiving treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital and its affiliates in Connecticut. Leukemia is the most common type of blood cancer in children accounting for about 30% of childhood cancers. The exact cause of leukemia in children is unknown although, certain genetic conditions inherited from parents can increase the risk of childhood leukemia.

When participating in Hats for Hope students wear/bring creative and fun hats like sports caps, animal hats with moving ears, funny beanies, and character hats, to name a few, to school and donate a minimum of $1 to participate.

This past December, Madison Public Schools raised over $3,800 for the Tommy Fund—the highest that they have ever raised.

“Blizzard of Giving”

Another beneficial fundraiser that Madison Public Schools participates in is the Blizzard of Giving, a yearly fundraising endeavor to collect food, gift cards, toys, personal hygiene items, and other donations for the Madison Food Pantry , which provides food services to residents in need, and Madison Youth and Family Services , a community based organization that supports the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and families. The Madison Food Pantry serves an average of 75-80 families each week. All families are given between 40-70 pounds of food per visit which is dependent on the size of the family.

Blizzard of Giving was started a few years ago by student organizations at Polson Middle School, including its Student Council, Impact Club, and Excel Club, along with their school social worker Missy Hartman. The staff, students, and their families donate items such as canned goods, boxed food items, gift cards from various stores, restaurants as well as from local small businesses, toys such as Legos, craft kits, science kits, sports equipment, etc. and cash donations.

This year’s Blizzard of Giving raised $1,360—the highest that they have ever raised— and donated 348 pounds of food.

“NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund” - Featured Stories

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:48:56 GMT

Check out several stories on “NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund”, featuring Joseph Bowman, President Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer and “Bowen the Brave” of “Team Tommy Fund” at the “Closer to Free Ride on Sept 7th.

To read the full article, check it out HERE!

UConn Men’s Basketball Makes Appearance at “Hats for Hope™” Winners, Middlebury Elementary

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:33:49 GMT

Middlebury Elementary School, winners of the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer "Hats for Hope™" Spring Fundraising Campaign, hosted members of the 2024 National Championship team, UConn Men's Basketball, on Friday, May 31 at 2 p.m. in their school's gymnasium.

Left: Tommy Fund team members attend UCONN's visit at MES. | Right: Players of UCONN Men's Basketball strike a pose with MES students.

MIDDLEBURY, CT: May 31, 2024: Players of the University of Connecticut’s Men's Basketball team visited Middlebury Elementary School on May 31 in partnership with the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer to celebrate the school’s fundraising success of their 2024 “Hats for Hope™”.

Created by the Tommy Fund, “Hats for Hope™” (HFH) is an easy and fun fundraising campaign where Connecticut schools can help support children receiving cancer treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven by wearing any hat of choice to school. For just one dollar or more per participant, schools across the state can make a big difference in a small way.

This spring, the Tommy Fund’s Spring HFH promotion allowed the highest participating fundraising school to receive a special appearance by the 2024 Championship UConn Men’s Basketball team at their school. In the end, Middlebury Elementary School (MES) took the win.

MES participated in a month-long campaign during March, showcasing different hat themed weeks to encourage their students and staff to continue to show up for the Tommy Fund. On April 1st, the school announced an astonishing fundraising total of $4,543.62 for the non-profit, winning the Spring 2024 HFH campaign contest.

Leigh Funderburk (left) and Tommy Fund Executive Director, Rebecca M Santoli (right) at Middlebury Elementary's assembly.

HFH ambassador, Leigh Funderburk, announced the grand total to the students at a school wide assembly, thanking everyone for their participation and support.

“Here at MES, we are incredibly excited to be the top fundraiser for the “Hats for Hope™” campaign,” says Funderbunk. “Our students, staff and MES families worked hard to raise funds to support children with cancer as well as their families. This cause was our mission for the month of March, however, a visit from players who won back to back championships is surely the icing on the cake!”

Students and faculty of MES participating in their HFH campaign

Middlebury welcomed several champions of the UConn Men’s Basketball team, including Hassan Diarra and Jaylin Stewart. Two new recruits, Aidan Mahoney and Tarris Reed, accompanied them.

The event began at 2 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium, and the players hosted a panel Q & A. Additionally, MES students had the opportunity to ask the players questions and pose for pictures.

The team’s efforts are supported by “Bleeding Blue for Good”, which according to the foundation’s website is the university's commitment to “recognize the accomplishments of UConn student-athletes by providing nation-leading Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities that support Connecticut charities”. The Tommy Fund and Bleeding Blue for Good partnered together in the 2023-2024 school year, and remain engaged year-round in the fight for childhood cancer throughout CT.

Check out some photos from the event!

Fire Fighter T-shirt Campaign

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:01:00 GMT

Check out our Fire-Fighter-T-shirt-Campaign pictures HERE !

St Joseph High School Varsity Girls Volleyball- Pink Game in support of the Tommy Fund

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 22:55:00 GMT

Octoberfest celebrating 70 Years of the Tommy Fund- Were you SEEN?

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 22:48:00 GMT

Team Tommy Fund raising funds for pediatric cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital with Closer to Free Ride

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:27:00 GMT

Read More

Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation raises “Moolah for the Mullet” in support of childhood cancer

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:04:00 GMT

Read More

Birdies For Charity: Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:08:00 GMT

Read the article and listen to the interview Here !

Bridgeport's Bravest on a Mission to Fight Childhood Cancer

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 18:13:00 GMT

Gold Gala

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:59:00 GMT

In Your Neighborhood: Alyssa Taglia hosts Gold Gala for the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer

https://www.wtnh.com/video/in-your-neighborhood-alyssa-taglia-hosts-gold-gala-for-the-tommy-fund-for-childhood-cancer/8586709/

The Fairfield Firefighters Charitable Foundation raises $36,000 to benefit the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer through their 2022 “Santa Express.”

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:44:00 GMT

FAIRFIELD, CT: February 1, 2023: The Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation (FFFCF) revealed a fundraising total of $36,000 on Jan. 29 for the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer from Dec.'s "Santa Express" event at the Fairfield Fire School.

Over the last seven years, the FFFCR has raised $150,000 towards supporting childhood cancer patients and their families receiving care at the Tommy Fund Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital and its affiliates.

Lieutenant Robert (Bob) Smith, President of the FFFCF and Tommy Fund Board Member, presented the donation with Lieutenant Jeff Pinckney, Treasurer of the FFFCF, to Rebecca M Santoli, Executive Director of the Tommy Fund, and Patrick Sullivan, Board Treasurer of the Tommy Fund, in memory of Charlie Capalbo, former Fairfield resident.

"Each year it is our goal to try and raise one dollar more than we have each year before," said Smith. "Last year was an incredible year and we know at some point we are going to get to the point where we cannot reach that total. I'm happy to say that that is not this year."

The 2022 Santa Express visited 160 homes between Dec. 9 and 11, greeting over 700 kids with Santa. The Gibson Family, the largest house with 46 children visited by the Santa Express, were in attendance and thanked for their support.

During the weekend, 60 members and family volunteers worked on the crews to run the event, many of which attended the presentation.

Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer would like to thank Smith, Pinckney, Fire Fighter Chris Eidam, Trustee of the FFFCF, the Fairfield Firefighters Association Local 1426, and everyone at the Fairfield Fire Department who offered their time and support.

The Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation's success at their 2022 "Santa Express" was featured in CT Insider's Community News segment in February, 2023. Check it out! https://www.ctinsider.com/fairfield/article/community-news-fairfield-ludlowe-dance-team-17770369.php

Kids Charity Groups Find Way to Visit Yale-New Haven’s Pediatric Cancer Patients

Wed, 13 May 2020 15:12:00 GMT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Charities that help pediatric cancer patients are not able to visit those kids in person right now. Thursday morning, however, they did find a way to bring smiles to the faces of patients from a distance.

They dressed up as dinosaurs, unicorns, robots, and animals. They are folks with nonprofit groups that usually go visit sick kids in hospitals or do things with those kids outside the hospital. None of that can happen right now.

“We can’t send food to the hospital. We can’t go into the hospital to hang out with the kids who are getting treatment right now,” said Melissa Simoni of Camp Rising Sun. “A lot of our events have been canceled or postponed.”

So instead, they dressed up and stood outside Yale-New Haven Hospital, waving at the patients inside. Most of the charities represented help children with cancer. That experience is scary enough, even without a global pandemic.

“This has been a very difficult time, but I have to tell you that our patients and families have been amazing,” said Denise Carr, the Pediatric Oncology Manager, Yale-New Haven Hospital. “They have been doing such a great job through all of this. They have been helping us to support them.”

The charities do more than dress up and wave. Through the internet, they can still brighten the days of some sick kids.

“We’re doing our best to try to continue to bring that sunshine. We’re doing virtual events,” said Courtney Bragg of the Sunshine Kids Foundation. “We’re having them all get together virtually still and connecting them. We’re doing yoga classes and baking classes.”

Read Full Coverage by WTNH

View WFSB News Coverage

The Santa Express

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 15:13:00 GMT

A look inside the Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation’s “Santa Express”. Year after year Fairfield families come together and look forward to when Santa’s firetruck stops in front of their house for a visit. This magical weekend spreads holiday cheer while raising funds for children with cancer and their families through the Tommy Fund.

In the News - The Tommy Fund

Alyssa Taglia emcees Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer's Gold Gala

To read the full article and watch the video on News 8, click HERE

The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer hosting annual Gold Gala

The Tommy Fund: A Legacy of Support and Growth for Pediatric Oncology | Yale Cancer Center

To read the full article, please click HERE.

Santa Express in Fairfield brings holiday and raises thousands for the Tommy Fund

An annual holiday tradition in Fairfield this past weekend brought Christmas magic to town

Read the Full Story: HERE

Mother who lost son to leukemia running first marathon in his honor

Mother who lost son to leukemia running first marathon in his honor

Family gets second chance of being together ahead of Closer to Free ride

Family gets second chance of being together ahead of Closer to Free ride

Thousands join the 15th Annual Closer to Free Ride

Thousands join the 15th Annual

Closer to Free Ride

Together We Thrive: Connecticut Community Fundraisers Make Positive Impact

Together We Thrive: Connecticut Community Fundraisers Make Positive Impact

“NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund” - Featured Stories

Check out several stories on “NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund”, featuring Joseph Bowman, President Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer and “Bowen the Brave” of “Team Tommy Fund” at the “Closer to Free Ride on Sept 7th.

To read the full article, check it out HERE!

UConn Men’s Basketball Makes Appearance at “Hats for Hope™” Winners, Middlebury Elementary

Middlebury Elementary School, winners of the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer "Hats for Hope™" Spring Fundraising Campaign, hosted members of the 2024 National Championship team, UConn Men's Basketball, on Friday, May 31 at 2 p.m. in their school's gymnasium.

Fire Fighter T-shirt Campaign

Check out our Fire-Fighter-T-shirt-Campaign pictures HERE !

St Joseph High School Varsity Girls Volleyball- Pink Game in support of the Tommy Fund

Read More!

Octoberfest celebrating 70 Years of the Tommy Fund- Were you SEEN?

Read More!

Team Tommy Fund raising funds for pediatric cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital with Closer to Free Ride

Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation raises “Moolah for the Mullet” in support of childhood cancer

Birdies For Charity: Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer

Bridgeport's Bravest on a Mission to Fight Childhood Cancer

Gold Gala

The Fairfield Firefighters Charitable Foundation raises $36,000 to benefit the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer through their 2022 “Santa Express.”

Kids Charity Groups Find Way to Visit Yale-New Haven’s Pediatric Cancer Patients

The Santa Express