The Journey of Getting Better

President’s Letter — 2024 Reflection; 2025 Projection ... 

Dear MGF’s ever-evolving Community, 

     WE did it. WE accomplished our 2024 target of financially assisting 100 cancer patients and their families. Through your unconditional generosity, WE are making the dream a reality. 

     What was that dream, established in January of 2021? To create a supportive community for cancer patients by providing financial aid in a timely fashion. How? By raising awareness and funds through recurring MGF events, Growth Team initiatives, and donations from altruistic advocates. Who? “Gold-standard” partners and volunteers who help us identify like-valued recipients as well as promote our mission. Why? Cancer doesn’t wait; neither should financial aid, which provides recipients with hope for a brighter future amid catastrophic circumstances. 

     When I was in middle school, I remember vividly losing over-and-over to my mom in intense ping-pong matches. Seemingly every other night, we would head to our basement after dinner. An hour or two later, I would run upstairs woefully. Another match. Another loss. It led me to come home from school most days, to finishing my homework quickly, to flipping up half of the ping-pong table, and to practicing for hours on end. It’s fair to say I invested more time practicing ping-pong and competing than eating dinner back then. A couple of years later, one typical night in that same basement, I finally won. It didn’t feel as great as I thought it would. What I came to understand then—and what I certainly understand now—is that it’s about setting one’s mind to a chief definite aim and progressing towards it. Improving rather than proving. 

     My mom taught me how to lose, how to win, and most importantly, how to fight for what I want. When she was diagnosed with cancer five years after my first big win in ping-pong, I didn’t know if she’d beat it. In fact, I was really afraid and scared she might lose. However, I knew she’d fight. That’s what she does. She fights for what she wants. Is there a better lesson to learn than that? That mentality was a major impetus for the establishment of the Meaningful Growth Foundation. As a main member of our Board, she maintains that mentality, and it energizes the rest of us. 

     What is the main aim and constant fight we are engaged in? It’s not defeating cancer once and for all. It’s not wishing for smaller mountains. It’s finding the people who provide encouragement, fortitude, and strength to climb each mountain. 

     In 2024, we raised more money than in any previous year. We created a Growth Team of volunteer ambassadors that extends to every corner of the United States, from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California, South Florida to the Tri-State Area. We partnered with other like-minded organizations such as the IronMatt Foundation for pediatric brain and spine tumors and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation; furthermore, we partnered with the Premier Lacrosse League and their 501(c)(3) arm: PLL Assists, as well as over six affluent angel donors. Quietly and loudly, we are proudly making a meaningful difference together. 

     In 2025, we plan to expand our community… from the Board of Directors to the Advisory Group to the Growth Team, to further our impact across the U.S. into more and more states, and to magnify our reach through sustainable in-person and virtual events, as well as digital and social media marketing efforts.

     If interested, please reach out for more specific information regarding MGF's metrics and milestones, as well as the opportunity to join our Growth Team!

     Before I go, WE want to know: will you join our fight to financially assist a total of 250 cancer patients and their families by the end of 2025? 

With love and respect,

Mark Glicini

Founder & President, MGF

E: markglicinimgf@gmail.com