EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the journey affects far more than the patient—it changes life for the entire family. Treatments are long, hospital visits are frequent, and the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming.
That’s where The Tomorrow Fund comes in. For more than three decades, this local nonprofit has provided daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Tomorrow Fund Clinic. From covering parking and meals to offering counseling and community, The Tomorrow Fund makes sure no family faces childhood cancer alone.
The Falzone family’s journey shows just how vital The Tomorrow Fund is to our community. Their story—along with so many others—is the reason the Mark Palumbo Memorial University Orthopedics 5K proudly supports this incredible organization.
A Family’s Story: Strength in the Face of Cancer
In 2012, four-year-old Alex was diagnosed with leukemia. What followed was years of treatment, long hospital stays, and countless challenges. During his first days in the hospital, The Tomorrow Fund introduced itself to Alex’s family with a simple, but powerful message: “We’re here to help you through this.”
That help came in many forms—financial support, fun activities for the kids, counseling, and most importantly, a community that understood. Their son eventually recovered, only for their daughter, Olivia, to be diagnosed with the same leukemia nine years later.
Once again, The Tomorrow Fund stepped in—offering encouragement, resources, and hope, even through the challenges of COVID and a later relapse that required a transplant in Boston.
“They’ve really rallied around our family,” said Alex and Olivia’s mother, Lynn Falzone. “And in turn, we’ve tried everything we can do to support The Tomorrow Fund—because it is such an important organization.”
Why We Run
The Mark Palumbo Memorial University Orthopedics 5K, inspired by the late Dr. Mark Palumbo, proudly supports The Tomorrow Fund each year. Dr. Palumbo was passionate about helping children and families in need, and the race carries on that legacy.
For families like the Falzones, the event means more than miles covered—it means support, hope, and a reminder that the community is standing behind them.
“When I run, I think about the kids who can’t run,” said Lynn, who’s also run in the 5K. “I picture the children my friends have lost. This race allows us to honor them while giving back to the organization that helped us so much.”
How You Can Help
Every step taken and every dollar raised makes a difference. By joining the University Orthopedics 5K—whether running, walking, or donating—you’re directly supporting families who are navigating the unimaginable challenges of childhood cancer.
Not everyone will face pediatric cancer personally, but nearly everyone knows someone who has. Supporting The Tomorrow Fund ensures that those families have the resources and compassion they need during the toughest times of their lives.
Join us at the University Orthopedics 5K on Saturday, September 13, 2025, and help us continue supporting The Tomorrow Fund. Together, we can make a difference for children and families right here in our community.
There are several ways you can get involved in this worthwhile event.
About Mark Palumbo Memorial University Orthopedics 5K
The Mark Palumbo Memorial University Orthopedics 5K is named in honor of Dr. Mark Palumbo, a renowned spine surgeon who passed away in September 2019. He was not only a beloved member of the University Orthopedics family, but he was also a highly regarded pillar of the community.
The 5K raises money for The Tomorrow Fund, a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support for children being treated for cancer at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, as well as their families. The Palumbo family has supported The Tomorrow Fund and held active roles with the Providence, RI-based charity for many years.