Public Announcement – Notice of Dissolution

March 10, 2024

Dear Friend and Supporter,

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the support you have provided since our inception in April 2010. With your help, Tyler DeMarco Foundation achieved its primary objective with the creation of the ‘Pediatric Cancer Treatment Suite’ at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. This suite boasts 11 private rooms for children treated for cancer and their families. In 2015, the Pediatric Cancer Suite was opened, fully operational, and offering every child patient a large, kid-decorated, medically specialized private room. Each private room is comfortably appointed for the child and his/her family. In addition, each room provides overnight accommodations for mom or dad. This was all accomplished in just 5 years!

Tyler DeMarco Foundation has continued the Fight against Childhood Cancer in two additional ways. We initiated an endowment supporting the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders through the ‘Journeys’ Program at Albany Medical Center, and established a ‘Tribute Account’ at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital supporting targeted Medulloblastoma brain cancer research. Medulloblastoma is the most common form of pediatric brain cancer and the disease that took our 12-year old Tyler’s life.

Certainly, we can agree that the world has changed since the pandemic. That change, along with the subsequent economic downturn has greatly impacted our small foundation. Charitable contributions have significantly diminished since 2020. We recognize we are not alone. Most charitable organizations are suffering a similar impact. But there’s more involved than the world changing impact. As the heartbroken family of our foundations namesake, we have concluded after 14 years that we must consider the physical and emotional toll that every event, speaking engagement, and written word has had, and continues to have on us as we push forward in Tyler’s Fight. We have been agonizing over these combined issues for well-over two years and have made the difficult decision we share with you now.

Tyler DeMarco Foundation will be dissolving our charitable operations at the end of fiscal year 2024 (December 31, 2024). Our final distributions of charitable funds will be distributed in the up-coming months prior to Q4. If you wish to continue your support in Tyler’s memory we ask that you donate directly to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If donating by check, simply indicate: Tyler DeMarco Foundation Memorial Account # 50834319. If donating online (www.StJude.org), click ‘donate now’ then dedicate your gift in memory of Tyler DeMarco. Or, you may choose to donate to: The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders ‘Journeys’ Program at Albany Medical Center in memory of Tyler DeMarco.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who selflessly assisted us over the years volunteering time and energy at our events. We are equally thankful for the business community support we have received in all its various forms. We wish to acknowledge with eternal gratitude and appreciation, Ryan’s Embroidery of Schenectady, and Camelot Print & Copy Center of Latham, who have unconditionally supported Tyler DeMarco Foundation since our inception. Additionally, our deepest appreciation to the ‘I Love You Man’ Fund at Maloney’s Pub in Schenectady, and the Joe Johnson Memorial Bass Tournament, who have both devoted financial support the last 8 years through their respective annual events devoted to Tyler’s Fight against Childhood Cancer!

Finally, we extend our love and appreciation to Tyler DeMarco Foundation Board of Director Members; Maria Brousseau, John White, Gail Heckeler, and Ryan DeMarco.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this announcement or any other related matter, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your understanding and thoughtful support.

In friendship and gratitude.

Sincerely,
Don & Pam DeMarco, President & Co-Founders