When you’re dealing with cancer, there are so many things you can’t control. You’re thinking about treatments, surgeries, doctor appointments… and just trying to figure out what comes next.
For Tony Foundation Founder Tony Laudadio, that reality is deeply personal. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer at 29 years old, followed by a completely unrelated brain cancer two years later. Laudadio had a young family and was building his career, and suddenly found himself unable to work the way he had before.
The medical side was overwhelming, but what really opened his eyes was the financial pressure. He realized how much of a gap there is for families facing the same combination of cancer, lost income, and everyday obligations. Bills don’t stop just because you’re sick.
Laudadio wanted to create something that could step in quickly during that difficult period. That became the core of Tony Foundation, which was officially established in 2018 and began serving in 2019. Today, they provide direct, unrestricted financial assistance, allowing families to use the support where it’s needed most.
“We don’t tell them that it has to go toward a particular bill, and we don’t require receipts or explanations. If rent is what needs to be paid, that’s okay. If it’s groceries, utilities, transportation, or something else that helps keep them moving forward, that’s okay too,” says Laudadio. “I think that flexibility is important because every family’s situation is different.”
By easing some of the financial burden, Tony Foundation enables families to spend more energy on caring for loved ones and navigating the days ahead, rather than constantly worrying about how they’ll make ends meet.
In 2025, Tony Foundation celebrated working with its 200th family, bringing the total amount of assistance provided at that point to $1 million.
The organization has become what it is because of the people who stand behind its vision. That includes the oncology professionals who identify families in need of assistance, and the generous donors, volunteers, and corporate partners who make that assistance possible.
“When good people come together around a clear mission, you can accomplish a lot more than you ever could on your own,” says Laudadio.
That spirit is evident at Tony Foundation’s golf events, which unite attendees by a desire to be part of something bigger than themselves. The Drive Away Cancer Golf Tournament, Dell Services Scramble for Cancer Fighters, and Birdies Rise About Cancer Golf Tournament are prime examples. The former recently reached its ninth year, while the latter two are coming up on their third and fifth anniversaries, respectively, this month.
For Laudadio, the longevity of those events—where there is equal opportunity to have fun and honor their mission—reflects how many people believe in the foundation. It’s about more than raising money.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t have to solve everything to make a difference,” says Laudadio. “Cancer can make people feel like their entire world is out of control. We can’t fix the cancer, but we can help with one piece of the problem. We can give someone a little breathing room.”
The holidays are a time when many think about gratitude and giving back. But for those dealing with cancer, that same season can certainly bring additional stress. That’s why Laudadio encourages people not to underestimate the impact they can have on others during this time.
You don’t have to do something extraordinary to make a difference. But every act of kindness helps get Tony Foundation one step closer to reaching another family in need of a hand.
“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to build a community of people who believe that cancer shouldn’t have to destroy a family’s financial stability on top of everything else they’re already facing. I’m most grateful for that community, and I hope people will consider becoming part of it,” says Laudadio. “At the end of the day, that’s what Tony Foundation is about: helping families feel like they aren’t facing this alone.”
Interested in partnering, volunteering, or donating? Head to: tonyfoundation.org
Stories that Stick with Tony
“Greg Jones passed away from cancer in 2020, and his wife, Sue, asked that donations be made to Tony Foundation in his memory. His family, friends, coworkers, and the company he helped build—Trade Technologies—all came together to honor him. Those donations allowed us to help Breanna and her family.
“More recently, I’ve been emotional when reflecting on my late great friend Elizabeth Spear. Back in 2019, we drove about 90 minutes together right before Christmas to personally deliver a $5,000 award to Gabi, another cancer fighter. Liz was always behind the camera and never wanted the credit, but she was deeply involved in what we were trying to accomplish.”