Family Reach Names Carla Tardif as its New Executive Director

Foundation Poised for Continued Growth

and National Expansion of its Cancer Support Mission

Boston, MA and Parsippany, NJ – March 1, 2012 – Family Reach Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial relief and support to families fighting cancer, has named Carla Tardif as its next Executive Director after four years of achievements as the organization’s first head of development.

“We could not have hoped for anyone more dedicated, more passionate, and more talented than Carla to take the reins of the organization and propel our mission forward,” said Richard J. Morello, outgoing Executive Director and Co-Founder of Family Reach Foundation.  “We have grown in so many incredible ways since our incorporation in 2003, and Carla will continue to elevate Family Reach to new heights as we support patients and families in their fight against cancer.”

Ms. Tardif, a resident of Winchester, MA, joined Family Reach in 2008 as a development consultant and has been a major factor in the organization’s growth and expansion of its mission.  In 2007, the year before Ms. Tardif became a key resource for Family Reach, the foundation generated about $250,000 in gross revenue to help nearly 100 families through relationships with five partner hospitals on the East Coast. In 2011, the organization raised $900,000 in gross revenue to help over 400 families through relationships with 15 major hospitals on the East and West Coast. For 2012, Family Reach plans to eclipse the $1 million mark and bring relief to over 500 families, while adding hospitals in new geographies to its network of partners.

“It is a true honor to champion such an important mission and be the voice for so many families dealing with the unthinkable realities of having a child with cancer, and in most cases, the relentless added stress of financial hardship,” said Ms. Tardif.  “By giving hope, care and compassion to these brave families, we try to make their journeys a little easier.  I'm grateful beyond words to lead a team of dedicated staff, volunteers and ambassadors who help make a profound difference in people's lives every single day.”  

Prior to joining Family Reach in 2008, Ms. Tardif was the Founder and President of nonprofit consultancy CMT Entertainment and brought nearly two decades of event planning and fundraising experience to the organization. Carla's dedication to the Family Reach mission stems from a personal promise she made to her Syracuse University classmate and friend, former NFL player Pat Kelly, before he passed away from cancer in 2003. Through the NFL, Pat frequently visited pediatric wards at hospitals across the country, and saw first-hand the devastating impact that seemingly small expenses, such as cab fare and groceries, had on the families of the patients. After graduating from Syracuse University in 1987, Carla spent six years with The Muscular Dystrophy Association in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston, where she was responsible for planning special events, telethons, auctions, and galas.

"Carla brings an incredible amount of energy, enthusiasm and experience to our rapidly expanding organization,” said Andrea Colangelo, Vice President and Co-Founder of Family Reach.  “We are honored to have her accept the position of Executive Director."

Mr. Morello, a resident of Brookline, MA, was one of the founders and the original Executive Director of Family Reach, serving as a volunteer in the role for the last 10 years.  A healthcare industry executive by background, Mr. Morello lost his sister Kristine Morello-Wiatrak to cancer in 1995 when she was only 27 and soon after joined other family members and close friends to create a fund to support other families in their financial struggles with the disease. During his tenure as Executive Director, Family Reach generated $3.5 million in gross revenue and helped nearly 2,000 families. He remains on the Board of Directors as its President.  “I look forward to collaborating with Carla in her new role and witnessing the results of her outstanding work and passion,” Mr. Morello concluded. 

About Family Reach Foundation

Family Reach Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing financial relief and heartfelt support to families fighting cancer.  The Foundation strives to reduce the often overwhelming financial and emotional burdens that families experience after a child or parent is diagnosed with cancer.  Family Reach was originally founded in 1996 as a grassroots cancer support fund by the families of Christopher Colangelo and Kristine Morello-Wiatrak, who lost their battles against pediatric cancers in 1981 and 1995 respectively.  Today, Family Reach works closely with leading cancer hospitals and their social workers to identify families in great need and provide timely, critical assistance.  Over the last decade, the Foundation has helped nearly 2,000 families pay for everyday expenses and medical costs that often accumulate during a patient's battle with cancer including mortgage, rent, transportation and insurance co-pays.  Based in Parsippany, NJ and Boston, MA, the Foundation has established a growing network of private and corporate supporters to fund the mission and play a meaningful role in the overall fight against cancer.  For more information, please visit www.familyreach.org.

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Contact:  Rick Morello, President

   (617) 223-1585

   rjmorello@familyreach.org