The gianna effect
foundation
Shine a light. Warm a heart. Inspire the world.
Warrior/angel
support
Families of WARRIORS (currently battling pediatric cancer)
and ANGELS (pediatric cancer warriors who have earned their angel wings)
need as much support as possible while undergoing treatment or memorializing their loved ones.
We at The Gianna Effect Foundation ("GEF") know that there are various ways
to warm the hearts of those currently affected by pediatric cancer.
Uplifting gifts, financial assistance, service, and support all help shine a light in someone's world;
and we will post some of our current and past GEF work delivering such love and kindness here.
Good morning
gorgeOUS
Our driving inspiration for creating The Gianna Effect Foundation is Gianna Marie Gambino,
an angel who bravely battled Osteosarcoma for 2 years.
Gianna was filled with love and light, and sought to spread kindness every chance she'd get.
She was a creative spirit with a huge heart, who happened to cherish anything artistic.
Her love of makeup grew during the period of time she was undergoing chemotherapy - partially, because it was a self-care therapeutic escape; and partially, because the strong medicines took her hair so she was looking for a way to brighten her face without it.
Mary J. Blige recently released a new album and song entitled "Good Morning Gorgeous" abbreviated as GMG, which also happens to be Gianna's initials!
The Gianna Effect Foundation realized that April (Gianna's birthday month) was a perfect opportunity to launch a beauty bag initiative, where we compile some of Gianna's favorite items into gift bags for patients currently undergoing treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC (where Gianna was treated).
Good Morning
Gorgeous, Pt 2
As part of the ongoing "14 Acts of Kindness" initiative (that was originally started in 2021 as "13 Acts of Kindness" during the month of Gianna Marie Gambino's 13th birthday), The Gianna Effect Foundation collaborated with a local Girl Scout Troop to assemble "Good Morning Gorgeous" gift bags as an act of service for distribution to patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC.
GMG stands for "Good Morning Gorgeous" now thanks to Mary J. Blige's latest album, and it also happens to be our beloved Gianna's initials.
family dinner
funding
During the 2 years that Gianna was receiving treatments and undergoing surgeries at Memorial Sloan Kettering, her parents were able to utilize the caring services offered by Ronald McDonald House in NYC.
For that reason, they knew that RMDH was one organization where they wanted to contribute GEF funds.
Paying for family meals at RMDH is one way GEF continues to pay it forward.
cyclones first pitch fun
Gianna was a dancer for the Brooklyn Cyclones, and the Coney Island-based baseball organization supports GEF by co-hosting an annual game dedicated to childhood cancer awareness which tributes Gianna while benefitting GEF endeavors in fundraising.
For this year's game, GEF invited Marco Wilen to throw out the first pitch on their behalf. Marco has bravely battled non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and enjoys video games and sports while attending 8th grade. GEF believes that all childhood cancer warriors deserve fun and special experiences such as this to celebrate the life they are currently living.
The Gianna Effect Foundation has also supported the Wilen family with financial assistance as part of our mission to help reduce the burdens families face when their child is diagnosed with cancer.
Please visit the "Cyclones Game" pages under GEF Endeavors to view more pics and vids from our annual games.