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Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization showing girls and boys their strength and beauty through the donation of bald dolls and providing HOPE to families battling childhood cancer.
The story of Glimmer of Hope wouldn’t exist without the story of a beautiful, radiant girl, Ella Integlia.
Ella Catherine Integlia made the sun shine brighter when she came into the world. She was an avid reader, often lost in the world of Harry Potter or any book of her choosing. Surrounded with many loving, loyal friends she was a social butterfly. Ella was caring and sensitive, hysterically crying at sad movies. She loved animals and babies, and fell in love with her first job as a mother’s helper and her honorary “big sister” role to her twin cousins.
Upon her diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 11, Ella wrote a letter to American Girl asking them to create a bald doll, so that girls like her could feel confident, strong and courageous.
Ella lived by the motto “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” And dance in the rain she did. Ella courageously battled leukemia for two and a half years, finishing treatment on June 26th, 2018. She lived life fearlessly, visiting Ireland, spending time with friends, improving her makeup skills, and basking in the sun at Narragansett Beach.
In April of 2019, Ella relapsed. She spent the next four months fighting, awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Due to complications, Ella passed away on August 24th 2019, at the age of 14. She is forever loved, forever missed and forever shines bright.
When she got her bald doll she named the doll “Hope.” We are honored to carry on her legacy and her dream of every child battling cancer being gifted the bald doll through Glimmer of Hope Foundation.
No matter what the diagnosis we believe in cherishing every moment.
We believe girls are more than their hair and they aren’t alone!
Whether it’s a new diagnosis or a relapse, we will never forget you and your family.
To make the world a less scary place for children battling cancer, we sponsor and donate dolls and bald dolls to better help children feel represented and confident during their journey.
A magical day for a group of girls battling cancer. The Best Day Ever features: hair and makeup services, a gift basket, a catered lunch, crafts, a princess dress and a doll in a matching princess dress, followed by a professional photoshoot at a magical location!
To help heal a broken heart, we have created bereavement boxes for families we have served after their child has passed. We partner with Spencer Welch Studios to send watercolor portraits of each child as part of each box.
"We as parents are very grateful for organizations like Glimmer of Hope that help to give our daughter moments and memories that bring her joy. It started with a doll that “looked just like Emi.” It was one of the first gifts she received after she lost her hair and it made her feel SO special."
Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that shows girls and boys their strength and beauty through the donation of bald dolls and provides HOPE to families battling childhood cancer.
Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity (federal tax ID #851607457). All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Alison Hornung is a 23 year old graduate of the University of Rhode Island, with degrees in Global Business Management, German, and Human Development and Family Sciences. She has been a passionate childhood cancer advocate since the age of 12.
Her biggest inspiration remains her honorary “little sis,” Ella, who battled leukemia for 3 years. Ella lit a spark for Ali and all those around her that inspire them to fight for what they believe in. Ali has advocated multiple times to Congress members in D.C. and virtually for more funding for pediatric cancer in honor of Ella and all of the other fighters, survivors and angels.
Ali has raised over $350,000 for various organizations including LLS, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Izzy Foundation, Talia’s Legacy, The Tomorrow Fund and more. She is the founder of Miracle Masks, a small business where she has created over 2,500 face masks and donated all of the proceeds to childhood cancer foundations.
Treasurer
Debbie is a math teacher at Cranston High School West. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in math from the University of Rhode Island. She then went on and received her Master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling from The Citadel in Charleston, SC.
Debbie loves to spend time with her family. She is the wife of Gary Hornung and has two beautiful daughters, Ali and Brooke. She also enjoys traveling.
She became involved in Glimmer of Hope through her daughter Ali who is the founder and executive director. She is very proud of the work Ali has done to help pediatric cancer patients and their families. She is often behind the scenes doing whatever she can to support Ali and Glimmer of Hope.
dhornung1@verizon.net
Grant Writer
Monique is a 35 year old, mostly stay at home Mom, but she is also a pediatric nurse! Monique has joined GOH to assist the team with grant writing!
Her favorite part about Glimmer of Hope includes “collaborating with strong supportive women who want to spread hope and offer their support to children and families affected by cancer.” Monique’s reason lies within her younger sister who has Down Syndrome.
Monique says “My future goals with GOH include being able to help sustain funding for GOH so they can help even more children and families than last year!”
monique.tarulli@gmail.com
Membership Coordinator
Lisa is a 19 year old student studying at Simmons University. She is studying sociology and law with hopes to become a prosecutor one day. Lisa has a wide variety of interests and has always been passionate for helping children who have illnesses.
Having Ali’s Mom as a teacher her senior year, she met Ali and they clicked. Lisa will do whatever she can to help others, including run for Student of the Year through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a freshman in college, knowing she would not qualify. She simply just wanted to help raise money.
Although not cancer, Lisa fought many pediatric illnesses and does everything she can to ease the lives of other kids who are fighting for the lives. She continues to do so and is more than happy to on the GOH team!
lisaegan6802@gmail.com
Marketing Coordinator
Abbegail DeSista is a 24-year-old Communications Studies graduate of the University of Rhode Island. Currently employed at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Abbe works in the Division of Philanthropy supporting the Annual Giving Team. Prior to this role, she worked in the General Surgery department at the Boston Children’s Hospital for a year and half.
Abbe has always felt compelled to work with organizations that positively impact the lives of others. From the moment she discovered Glimmer of Hope, she felt an instant connection to the mission. She is honored to be a part of team that creates such an amazing difference.
abbegaildesista99@gmail.com
Outreach Coordinator
Lindsay Miller, 42, is currently a stay at home mom to three young children. She has a Bachelors in Nutrition and is working towards obtaining her certification in functional nutrition with an emphasis on thyroid health. Lindsay currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Glimmer of Hope.
In addition to her work with Glimmer of Hope, Lindsay also serves on the Board of Trustees for her children’s school. In her spare time she loves to travel, read and spend time with family + friends. You can usually find Lindsay behind the scenes planning events and fundraisers.
Fighting for kids is something that Lindsay has always felt passionate about and she was thrilled to lock arms with Glimmer of Hope to do just that.
lmiller7780@gmail.com