After her husband, Paul, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 and needed to receive a bone marrow transplant, Marie Napoli decided to participate in the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon to raise money for The Bone Marrow Foundation in support of Paul and the tens of thousands of other Americans suffering from this disease. The Bone Marrow Foundation is a nonprofit organization that facilitates bone marrow, cord blood, and stem cell transplants for patients suffering from blood cancer and other blood diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma. It also provides support services for patients and their families.
Initially, Napoli set out to raise $25,000 for the organization through Crowdrise, a popular fundraising website. Supporters ended up donating more than double that – in total, Marie raised $52,395 for The Bone Marrow Foundation.
The Bone Marrow Foundation
Since its creation in 1992, The Bone Marrow Foundation has created a network of support at more than 200 hospitals and transplant centers throughout the nation. At these hospitals and centers, staff, patients, and families receive financial aid for procedures, education, and support services. Patients suffering from more than seventy types of illness benefit from the resources provided by The Bone Marrow Foundation. All funding and support for The Bone Marrow Foundation comes from private donations.
The issues faced by leukemia patients and their families are personal for Marie Napoli. Throughout her career, she has avidly campaigned for support for those suffering from cancer and dedicated herself to helping the individuals whose lives have been touched by this disease. Today, she serves on the associate board for The Bone Marrow Foundation. In this position, she works to guide and support the foundation as it provides services such as cord blood banking, compatibility testing, bone marrow and stem cell collection, childcare, transportation, housing, donor searches, and medication to individuals affected by blood-related diseases.
The TCS New York City Marathon
The 2014 Tata Consultancy Services New York City Marathonwas held on November 2nd, 2014. It was the 43rd annual New York City Marathon, which has been held every year since 1970 except for 2012, when it was canceled due to the effects of Superstorm Sandy. More than 50,000 runners finished the race. Napoli completed the marathon in just over five hours.
Marie Napoli’s Career of Philanthropy
Marie and Paul Napoli met while attending St. John’s University School of Law and have remained involved with the university through their philanthropic efforts ever since. The couple and their contributions were featured in the winter 2008 edition of the university’s alumni magazine.
Growing up, Marie’s family always stressed the importance of using one’s gifts to help others. When her husband needed her most, she was there for him, proudly wearing runner bib #41431. Today, Paul Napoli is in remission. Marie Napoli continues to live up to her morals by donating her time, money, and passion to The Bone Marrow Foundation, an organization that has helped to save thousands of lives over the past 22 years.
