Our Why

Ovarian and pediatric cancers are the two deadliest diseases facing women and children. Early detection and awareness are crucial in achieving successful diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Who We Are

When a central Florida family experienced the tragic loss of three women to ovarian cancer and three children to pediatric cancer, they knew it was time to take action.

At M Family Foundation, we know life changes immediately for the entire family after a cancer diagnosis. Also, we understand each family has individualized needs depending on their situation.

Established in hope, the M Family Foundation provides tailored support for critically ill women, children and their families. While we do not have a cure, we can create moments that matter!

M Family Honorees

In celebration of their lives, we honor their memory by telling their story and the impact they made to everyone they knew!

Rebecca Marcantel

1945 - 2012

Rebecca Marcantel

1945 - 2012

Dr. David Marcantel’s beloved mother, Rebecca Marcantel. Rebecca Bragg Marcantel was married nearly 50 years and was a mother of 6. She was a gifted interior designer & artist.

She loved art, music, and her home. All who knew her were drawn to her energy and wisdom. Her Catholic faith, husband Dulvas, 6 children, and 17 grandchildren were her true loves in life!

“God has given us eternal life, and this is in His son.” John 5:11

Bridget M. Jenkins

1966 - 2014

Bridget M. Jenkins

1966 - 2014

Bridget was a 48-year-old wife and mother of two, an active community participant, and a beloved friend to many. She died peacefully on December 30, 2014, surrounded by her family after a 15-month battle with ovarian cancer.

Bridget was born on January 20, 1966, in Cambridge, N.Y. She grew up in Hooksett, N.H., and attended Hooksett Public Schools. She entered St. Paul’s School as a freshman in the fall of 1980. She excelled as an athlete, captaining the field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams. Bridget went on to Dartmouth College, where she captained the women’s lacrosse team, earning MVP honors as a senior.

“Bridgey was always thinking about other people, picking out cards throughout the year or shopping for them when something reminded her of them,” said John Jenkins. “She was very thoughtful and loved and cared for everyone.”

Michelle Owens

1972 - 2016

Michelle Owens

1972 - 2016

Michelle Owens, the beloved sister to our very own Julie Owens VanDyke, is one of our race honorees. Michelle was a beautiful, kind, loving woman, with the ever-infectious SMILE.

Michelle may have lost her battle with cancer, but her spirit is still very much alive within those of us who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Make the world a better place by showing YOUR “Smiles for Michelle”.

Andrew Rypien

1995 - 1998

Andrew Rypien

1995 - 1998

Andrew Rypien should have turned 24 this year and been playing with his nephew Mekhi, and hanging out on the lake with his sister Angela, and cheering for his niece Malayah at her volleyball game!

He should have been able to attend his sister Amber’s wedding last February. Sadly, he was robbed of his life and they were robbed of having their brother & uncle here with them.

Andrew died of pediatric brain cancer at age 3 in 1998. He is survived by his mother Annette, father Mark, sisters Amber & Angela, and many other friends and family members that miss him every day!

TJ Reilly

2003 - 2016

TJ Reilly

2003 - 2016

TJ was 10 years old when he was diagnosed with Gliomatosis Cerebral, a rare & untreatable form of brain cancer. Despite this diagnosis, he lived life to the fullest.

So many community members reached out to help TJ’s family create fun, happy memories, and this truly kept the family going.

It is in TJ’s memory & honor that The Over the Moon Foundation reaches out to help other warrior families during these painful times. The “Over The Moon” Foundation was created after TJ’s favorite saying of “I LOVE you to the moon and back!” He said this as long as his mother Krissy can remember.

Noah Larkin

2003 - 2012

Noah Larkin

2003 - 2012

Born to this Earth, Sept 19, 2003 • Born to Eternal Life, May 29, 2012

From the day he was born, Noah was described as a light. An old soul, he was always “smiley” and always kind. He was a thinker. Noah was invited to all of the boy’s birthday parties as well as the girl’s. Everyone who crossed his path knew that he was special and different. He led by example, even at his young age.

Michael Carrion

2008 - 2020

Michael Carrion

2008 - 2020

Michael has passed away after fighting DIPG for seventeen months, he was diagnosed in January of 2019. A quiet, caring and unassuming young man who fought with quiet strength and bravery Michael did not have an easy fight, he dealt with difficult things the whole way and yet he continued to be the strong leader, encouraged and was an example to all who knew him. His family take solace knowing that he is now in heaven but they now have the unimaginable burden of living without him.

Achievement Unlocked!!!

Every day is a new celebration Every day is life unlocked. When life is about the video games like for kids, Achievements are unlocked….

4,556 days you unlocked achievement in our daily lives. On the 4,556th day you unlocked the greatest achievement a believer can get. You gained your wings, you gained roads paved with gold, you unlocked paradise!

Carmen

1960 - 2018

Carmen

1960 - 2018

Carmen had ovarian cancer and passed 14 months after diagnosis. Her care at Celebration and by Dr Holloway and staff at Adventist South was exemplary.

Carmen was an investigative journalist in Romania, and published under her own byline. She wrote for most of the large papers in her country and also for TV. She knew basically anybody who was famous in the country including the President and all the Olympians, tennis and soccer stars. She was very progressive, fighting against the mafias and corrupt former Communists. Carmen was also a math wiz and engineer. She became an American citizen just a few months before she passed. She loved American history and was fascinated by our Constitution, the Bill of Rights and how everyday Americans viewed their Government.

She considered Americans the most fortunate people on earth and always laughed when American journalists reported how Europeans disliked the U.S. She said that if we opened our borders Europe would be empty, “That’s how much they hate us”. She thought that anybody who advocates socialism should have to live under Communism like she did for 40 years. She was part of the revolution in her country and was on the main square when communist thugs broke into the protests and beat people to death. She would point out places in Bucharest where people were tortured and bodies of students were burned. Carmen was fearless and fought hard for life, both hers and others, and for basic human freedoms.

Nancy Janosco

1956 - 2021

Nancy Janosco

1956 - 2021

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, Nancy Janosco, age 64, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2021. Formerly Nancy Florence Kiernan, she was born in Malden, Massachusetts, attended Malden High School, and then attended North Adams State College where she received her bachelor’s degree.

To all, and in the full grace of God her Lord and Savior, Nancy was a beaming light that illuminated all darkness. Love and devotion to serving others were the ways in which she chose to live. Her faithfulness in spreading her kind and generous spirit showered those around her with unconditional love and warmth. She prayed, she loved, and she gave.

While residing in Celebration, Florida she was a longstanding member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and she enjoyed life’s truest blessings of spending time with her husband and children, and watching her grandchildren grow, play, and learn. She enjoyed lunches and dinners out with family and friends at local eateries, and visiting the Disney theme parks where she magically inspired those to dream and hope. During her summers in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, she and her husband spent their time hosting family and friends, creating unforgettable, longstanding memories on the beach and pier, and savoring sunsets, full moons, and nature’s sounds and landscapes.

Christine Castiglia

1964 - 2022

Christine Castiglia

1964 - 2022

Christine Marie Castiglia, age 57, of Derby peacefully entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was born in Waterbury on May 18, 1964 the daughter of Elaine Ricciardi and the late Vincent J. Castiglia. Christine worked as a Clerical Assistant at Pathfinder Associate Inc. Vocational Program for over 30 years. She was the proud recipient of the M Family Foundation 2021 Ovarian Cancer Superhero Award, participated in both the Bishop Wicke Wellness Program and the Volunteer Program at Pathfinder Associate Inc.

Always was a card game enthusiast who especially enjoyed playing 500 Gin Rummy and Uno. Christine was an avid acrylic paint artist, game show channel aficionado, lover of all things Disney, and had a strong passion for cooking and reading cookbooks

Eli Paine

2015 - 2022

Eli Paine

2015 - 2022

There are no words to accurately describe what the M Family Foundation has done for my family. When our son Eli was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer our world was beyond shaken. We immediately started treatments in Miami, 1.5-3 hours from our home depending on traffic.

We decided to stay in Miami during the week and come home on the weekends so Eli and his newborn baby sister didn’t have to spend possibly 6 hours a day in the car, because time is precious, and we knew we may not have much. This meant setting up two residences, home, and hotel, keeping life as normal as possible for our children, but meant I couldn’t return to work from maternity leave.

Then the M Family Foundation joined our lives. They gave us, above all, time. Something priceless. They gave me the ability to stay home. For us to be able to maintain our “normal” while also giving our children beautiful experiences, without a fear or hinderance of finances. I was able to take Eli to school for half days so he could experience kindergarten, make friends, and be a kid.

When Eli was inpatient for over 40 days my husband was able to stay with us the whole time because of the M Family Foundation’s financial support.

The gratitude I have for the M Family Foundation, the gift of time with our son, is something I will never be able to make out in words. When DIPG stole Eli from us the M Family Foundation stepped even closer in with us.

They are helping us keep Eli’s name alive and making sure we know how much Eli is loved and missed while also acknowledging our loss and the pain our other child feel. The M Family Foundation is a gift to families like ours and I am beyond thankful for the beautiful relationship we have. #EliTheBrave

Cali Franklin

2016 - 2023

Cali Franklin

2016 - 2023

Cali was a happy, sweet, princess loving little girl who stole the hearts of everyone she met. She fought cancer with courage and grace. She never complained and continued to flash her beautiful smile to everyone. Cali was a bit sassy, very outgoing and super sweet. In October 2022, Cali was diagnosed with DIPG and gained her wings a year later.

Though we bid a tearful farewell to this sweet girl, her memory remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against childhood cancer. Her legacy fuels our determination to continue this fight and reinforces our commitment to expanding our efforts so that more families can create lasting memories together. Our heartfelt love goes out to Cali’s family, who will forever be a part of ours.

Traviana Sims

2017 - 2023

Traviana Sims

2017 - 2023

A Time to Be Born: Traviana Gail Sims, affectionately known as “DEBO”, was born a warrior on September 15, 2017 in Orlando, Florida to parents, Bobby Sims and Pamela Dunston.

A Time to Learn: Traviana attended Riverside Elementary in Orlando, Florida.

A Time to Enjoy: Traviana was a very fun-loving child. She filled the lives of her family and little friends with joy and absolute sunshine. Although she was tasked to fight DIPG, she fought with grace and incomparable strength. She would always have a smile on her face that was larger than life itself and brought joy to every one she met.

A Time to Transition: Traviana gained her heavenly wings and became a gift in heaven on December 25, 2023. To know her was to love her and Traviana’s Journey will continue on.

Your Donations Make An Impact

"The gratitude I have for the M Family Foundation, the gift of time with our son, is something I will never be able to make out in words. When DIPG stole Eli from us the M Family Foundation stepped even closer in with us.

They are helping us keep Eli’s name alive and making sure we know how much Eli is loved and missed while also acknowledging our loss and the pain our other child feel. The M Family Foundation is a gift to families like ours and I am beyond thankful for the beautiful relationship we have."

Eli's Mom

Our Why

Ovarian and pediatric cancers are the two deadliest diseases facing women and children. Early detection and awareness are crucial in achieving successful diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Who We Are

M Family Honorees

Rebecca Marcantel

Bridget M. Jenkins

Michelle Owens

Andrew Rypien

TJ Reilly

Noah Larkin

Michael Carrion

Carmen

Nancy Janosco

Christine Castiglia

Eli Paine

Cali Franklin

Traviana Sims

Your Donations Make An Impact

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