The Tomorrow Fund’s 34th Annual Gala

The Tomorrow Fund’s

34th Annual Gala Takes on “Roaring 20s” Theme

By Mark Berger

The Tomorrow Fund, the only local nonprofit organization that provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and to their families, will be holding its 34th Annual Gala to further raise awareness and funds toward its mission.

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. The night will feature a live and silent auction, dinner, and dancing all in an effort to raise further awareness and resources to help children battling cancer.

Executive Director Lisa Abbenante said their signature event typically draws over 500 guests; however, to allow for comfortable distancing, the event will be capped at less than 500. Other activities and surprises are also planned for during the evening. This year’s theme is “A Toast To The Twenties” with GQ and the Lady providing the musical entertainment. Abbenante said, “they’ve already received inquiries regarding the event, and expects quite a few guests will be dressed in themed attire.”

“We are so fortunate to have a dedicated group of people ranging from the office and medical staff to volunteers, all enabling families to focus on their child’s treatment,” said Abbenante, “We are a separate and independent organization, relying solely on fundraisers, grants and the generosity of the community for funding as we support every child diagnosed with Cancer who is treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital (in Providence).”

Abbenante said the financial, physical, and emotional toll cancer places on families can be monumental. Not only does the patient face challenges, but so does the family, including the responsibility to ensure their child attends each and every appointment and treatment session. This can be both exhausting and financially draining. For example, parking would cost thousands of dollars for families. Fortunately, The Tomorrow Fund provides paid parking defraying those costs, from the time of diagnosis throughout the duration of their treatment, said Abbenante.

One of the emotional programs The Tomorrow Fund provides is a weeklong summer camp for patients and their siblings that involve various activities and special events. Part of The Tomorrow Fund’s goal is taking the entire family into consideration when it comes to treatment and programs, she added. “Siblings often feel not only left out, but anxious and overwhelmed by the entire process,” Abbenante said. “In an effort to maintain family bonds, we offer many family activities that involve everyone.”

Along with family activities, The Tomorrow Fund’s support goes beyond, by providing financial aid and support, assisting with mortgages/rents, utilities, food and other essentials. That is because the financial impact of treating a child with cancer can be unbearable.

The Annual Gala offers various Sponsorships levels with accompanying benefits such as tickets to attend the event, name recognition and signage during the event. She noted with the continued support of prior year sponsors and the hope of new companies and individuals, “we can all make a difference and support the Mission.”

Abbenante said that while people are there to have fun, they are also making a tremendous difference by helping make better lives for children with cancer.

“These are brave boys and girls battling cancer. Not only are they fighters, but so are their mothers, fathers and siblings. There’s so much they all go through both emotionally and physically. By supporting The Tomorrow Fund and this event, you will be making a difference for these patients and their families,” Abbenante said.

Tickets for the Gala will be available through the organization’s website www.tomorrowfund. org in early September. There, people can learn more about the event, including sponsorships, volunteering, donating and the work the organization provides to children diagnosed with cancer. The Tomorrow Fund is a local, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, providing daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. While their charity is specifically focused on children treated in the pediatric oncology program at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Tomorrow Fund Clinic, their organization receives no funding from Hasbro Children’s Hospital. They rely entirely on the generous support of donors and supporters to help ease the enormous burden parents face with pediatric cancer.

In 1985, The Tomorrow Fund founders, a group that included doctors, teachers, child development experts and parents, recognized that children with cancer and their families needed additional assistance, beyond medical care, to cope with the many challenges that accompany this disease.

For more information about The Tomorrow Fund and/ or to contribute to their Signature Event, please call Lisa Abbenante at (401) 444-8811 or email her at:

lisa@tomorrowfund.org.