As we celebrate 20 years of helping children and families fighting cancer, we wanted to take a look back across two decades of Family Reach milestones, memories and service. Since 1996, Family Reach has been helping families with a child or parent afflicted with cancer deal with the overwhelming financial and emotional burdens of the disease.

Originally named the “CMW Cancer Fund,” we were founded as a joint effort by the families of Christopher Colangelo and Kristine Morello-Wiatrak. Christopher lost his battle with neuroblastoma at the age of 11 in 1981, and Kristine died in 1995 at the age of 27 after a year of fighting Ewing’s sarcoma, a pediatric-type cancer.

In 1997, we hosted our very first charity golf event raising more than $10,000 in donations with over 100 participants.

In 2000, we raised over $100,000 cumulatively to help serve children and families in need.

In 2002, we announced a plan to grow the mission and reach of our organization.

In 2003, we were renamed to: Family Reach Foundation and earned our official 501(c)(3) status and had 4 hospital partners.

In 2004, we raised over $100,000 in one year for the first time in our history.

In 2006, we celebrated serving over 100 families in one year.

In 2008, we had 12 hospital partners and brought on current CEO, Carla Tardif full time.

In 2009, we broke a record of serving more than 1,000 individuals in one year.

In 2012, Family Reach and Ming Tsai introduced the Cooking Live event series in New York City with special guest Matt Damon.

In 2014, we had 20 hospital partners and distributed $1.25 million in financial support to families in 39 states.

In 2015, we exceeded serving more than 30,000 individuals since 1996.

We already have so much to celebrate in 2016 and cannot wait to see
what’s in store for the next 20 years!