The
Foundation
The We Love You Connie Foundation is dedicated to raising money to find a cure for a rare Children’s Brain Tumor called DIPG. After the passing of their daughter, Connie Monica Guglietti to DIPG in October 2016, Marco and Michela began the foundation along with Marco’s brothers, Silvio, Riccardo and Johnny Guglietti. The Guglietti Family, together with the many generous supporters of the We Love You Connie Foundation, are extremely proud to announce that over $4,000,000 has already been donated to specific neuro-oncology programs in the World’s Leading Hospitals; for Improving Care, Supporting Most Promising Research Trials, and Future CURE of Children’s Brain Cancers, namely DIPG! $2 Million committed to the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto ($1.2 Million sent as of July 15th, 2022), and $1.5 Million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital ($1.26 Million sent as of January 14th, 2022), and $500,000 to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre ($420,000 sent as of January 14th, 2022), and $750,000 to DIPG Centre of Expertise (DCez) in Zurich ($550K paid as of January 14th, 2022), $500,000 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston ($100,000 USD + $240,000 CAD as of January 14th, 2022), $100,000 USD to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, $100,000 CAD to Boston Children’s Hospital, 43,000 Euros to IOZK (Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln) in Köln, Germany, and $50,000 to Kids Health Links – Upopolis Sibling Island Online Group. With the Leadership of WeLoveYouConnieFoundation Medical Advisory Board Member, Dr. Mark Kieran, the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation was able to engage in a $1 Million Grant Competition. An independent panel of four (4) independent Top DIPG Researchers (2 from Europe & 2 from North America) determined two (2) proposals of equal merit so, the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation is funding both Finalists! Congratulations to both winners who will receive $1 Million dollars over 4 years (2022 – 2025) – Dr. Nicholas Vitanza and the Vitanza Lab Team from Seattle Children’s Hospital (Immunotherapy CAR T Clinical Trial) and Dr. David Ziegler and the Ziegler Lab Team from the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, Australia (Epigenetic 3 Drug Combination Clinical Trial). Two different approaches with one goal – better outcomes, and extended and improved quality of life for children diagnosed with DIPG and the future CURE for DIPG!
(Pictured here Left to Right at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in Montreal, Quebec) Dr. Mark Kieran (Neuro-Oncologist, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Hospital), Dr. Nada Jabado (Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist, McGill/Montreal Children’s Hospital), Marco Guglietti (Co-Founder, We Love You Connie Foundation and Father of Connie Monica Guglietti)
Pictured here is Ted Garrard (CEO, Sick Kids Foundation), Marco & Michela Guglietti (Proud Parents of Angel Connie Monica Guglietti), and Dr. Eric Bouffet (Director, Brain Tumour Program/Neuro-Oncologist, Sick Kids Hospital).
(Pictured here Left to Right) Silvio Guglietti, Marco Guglietti, Dr. Pam Ohashi (Lead Researcher, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre), Riccardo Guglietti & Johnny Guglietti. The We Love You Connie Foundation has committed to a 4-year commitment of $400K to the Immune Therapy Program Fund at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
(Left to right): Rosehaven Homes & Melrose Investments Christmas Toy Drive for Sick Kids Hospital in Honour of Angel Holly Taylor and Angel Connie Monica Guglietti (12 Dec 2018) – Pictured here (left to right) Riccardo Guglietti, Anne-Marie Newton (Director of Major Gifts, Sick Kids Hospital Foundation), Anita Shenoy, Ken Taylor, Michela Guglietti, Marco Guglietti, Jennifer Ashcroft (Former Director of Major Gifts, Sick Kids Hospital Foundation), Silvio Guglietti.
(Left to right): Pictured here is Marco & Michela Guglietti (Co-Founders, WeLoveYouConnieFoundation) and Dr. Nada Jabado (Lead Researcher, Montreal Children’s Hospital) in front of the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation plaque acknowledging the Foundation’s funding of Dr. Nabado’s research together with Dr. Mark Kieran in Boston.
(Left to right): Marco Guglietti, Dr. Ronald Cohn (President & CEO of Sick Kids Hospital) and Silvio Guglietti
Letter from
Connie's Mom and Dad
We (Michela and Marco Guglietti – Connie’s Mom and Dad), together with Our Brothers Silvio, Riccardo and Johnny, created the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation in Loving Memory and in Honour of Our First-Born Child named Connie Monica Guglietti.
In October 2016, our brave, happy, creative and enthusiastic little girl passed away at the tender age of 8 years old of a rare Children’s Brain Cancer called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma).
It is our Family’s and the Foundation’s mission to source out and fund the most advanced and promising DIPG Research and Clinical Trials at the world’s best hospitals and institutions for the Improved Care and Extension of the Quality of Life for Children diagnosed with DIPG. With Hope in Our Hearts and Connie’s Spirit motivating us, our future goal is the CURE for DIPG.
From the Beginning of the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation in late 2016, over $4 Million has already been donated to various Leading Hospitals and Institutions worldwide thanks to the Guglietti Family and the Supporters of the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation.
In the Summer of 2022, with the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation Medical Advisory Board Lead, Dr. Mark Kieran, the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation has added two (2) $1 Million Dollar Grants – Dr. David Ziegler at the Children’s Cancer Institute (Sydney, Australia) and Dr. Nicholas Vitanza at the Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, Washington, USA). Dr. David Ziegler’s Research and Clinical Trial focuses on a Combination Epigenetic and Multi-Drug Treatment of DIPG. Dr. Nicholas Vitanza’s Research and Clinical Trial focuses on CAR T Immunotherapy Treatment of DIPG. Both are vastly different in their approach but, both were determined to be of equal merit when judged by an independent panel of DIPG researchers (2 from Europe and 2 from North America).
To date, the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation has committed $7.5 Million (with over $4 Million already paid out) to the Most Promising Research at Leading Hospitals and Institutions worldwide as follows:
$2.0 Million Commitment to the Sick Kids Hospital
Currently supporting Precision Medicine Program for patients diagnosed with DIPG program led by Dr. Cynthia Hawkins and Dr. James Rutka
$1.5 Million Commitment to the Montreal Children’s Hospital
DIPG Research, Drug Trials and Genetic Research, by Dr. Nada Jabado
$1.0 Million Commitment to Seattle Children’s Hospital
CAR T Cell Immunotherapy Clinical Trial by Dr. Nicholas Vitanza & Team
$1.0 Million to Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney Australia
Multi Drug and Epigenetic Clinical Trial by Dr. David Ziegler & Team
$750,000 to Zurich Children’s Hospital (DMG-ACT)
Clinical Trials and Research led by Dr. Javad Nazarian and Dr. Sabine Mueller
$500,000 to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Immunotherapy Brain Program led by Dr. Pamela Ohashi
$500,000 to Dana-Farber Cancer Centre
DIPG Research led by Dr. Mariella Filbin and Dr. Mimi Bandopadayhay
$100,000 to Boston Children’s Hospital
DIPG Research led by Dr. Edward R. Smith and Dr. Marsha Moses
$100,000 to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami
Brain Tumor Research program led by Dr. Ziad Khatib
€43,000 to IOZK Clinic, Köln, Germany
Immunotherapy Program led by Dr. Stefaan Van Gool
$50,000 to Kids Health Links
Sponsorship of Sibling Island - Sibling Island is an online private group (monitored by Mental Health Professionals) within Upopolis for youth aged 10 - 18 who have a brother or sister with a chronic or critical illness, medical condition or disability. Providing spaces for youth to freely express their thoughts and connect with others who are sharing the same feelings has been shown to positively affect the well-being of the healthy youth.
Thank you to the Guglietti Family and the Supporters (Donors Like You) for supporting our mission to continue the courageous fight to improve outcomes for children diagnosed with DIPG with our future goal always toward a CURE!
Always with Our Angel Connie’s Spirit,
MICHELA AND MARCO GUGLIETTI
Every cent will be donated to DIPG research
100 cents of every dollar raised by the We Love You Connie Foundation will be donated directly to the cause. While most charities require some of the raised funds to be used towards covering administrative costs, donation fees, overhead, equipment, marketing, etc… The We Love You Connie Foundation will donate 100% of the money raised – absolutely every cent will go to the hospitals directly – this is our promise. All additional costs/fees will be covered personally by the Guglietti family so the hospitals can benefit completely.
Who are
we
Marco Guglietti
President
Marco Guglietti is Connie's father and the President of Rosehaven Homes.
Michela Guglietti
Vice President
Michela Guglietti is a proud Mamma of 3 girls and 1 boy, and heads up the Loving Spirit and Heart of The We Love You Connie Foundation.
Silvio Guglietti
Vice President
Silvio Guglietti is Connie's uncle and the President of Melrose Investments.
Riccardo Guglietti
Vice President
Riccardo is Connie's Uncle and the General Manager of Tamarack Lumber.
John Guglietti
Vice President
Johnny is Connie's Uncle and the Assistant Manager of Tamarack Lumber.
What we are
Doing
Changing the Future of DIPG
One Event at a Time!
We will be adding more information about upcoming events as it becomes available. Subscribe or come back to this page to find out more about how you can be involved in the We Love You Connie Foundation.
We Thank All who donated/participated in the WeLoveYouConnieFoundation Cycling Event held on May 25th, 2018 at Pinecrest Farms in Vaughan that raised $175K.
We Thank All who sponsored/donated/participated in the 2019 Connie’s Warrior Walk Event held on Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 at Palais Royale in Toronto that raised $465,000.
Our
Generous Donors
Thank You To So Many People Who Have Already Helped Make an Impact!
Commitment of over $3.5M Dollars – Silvio & Patrizia, Riccardo & Lisa, Marco & Michela, Johnny & Sonia Guglietti Family (Over $1.5M sent)
$465K – raised from Connie's Warrior Walk 2019
$400K to Date – The Big Slick Fundraiser (Freddy and Andrew DeGasperis – Committee Members)
$285K – 2020 Christmas Drive initiated by Rosehaven Homes
$275K – raised from Connie's Warrior Walk 2018
$265K – raised from Rosehaven Homes 30th Anniversary Fundraiser
$174,650 - raised from the 2018 We Love You Connie Foundation Cycling Event
$100K committed – Marita Simbul-Lezon ($75K donated to date)
$70K – raised from the 2019 Summer Fresh Fundraiser
$50K – Guglietti Brothers Investments (Families of Giovanni+, Carmine and Tony Guglietti)
This list is always growing and we will continue to update it on a regular basis!
Please click on the below link to get an accumulated list of our Generous Donors who donated to the We Love You Connie Foundation, the We Love You Connie Fund at Sick Kids Hospital and the Giovanni and Concetta Guglietti Family Foundation as updated on September 30th, 2023.
Click Here
Our
Corporate and Marketing Partners
Corporate Sponsors at our Events
Make all the Difference!
Our sponsors are the reason we are able to raise the money we do on this journey to find the cure for DIPG. We thank all of these companies for their ongoing support.
Rosehaven Homes is an award-winning home-builder known for designing and crafting stunning homes at a recognizably higher level of quality. Their dedication to quality and service has led to Ks of happy families and homeowners.
An enthusiastic advertising, marketing and social media agency with a creative mindset and a vision to revolutionize branding.
Melrose Investments Inc. is proud to present some of the finest real estate opportunities for your company. Melrose specializes in the entire spectrum of industrial, office, retail and warehousing space.
Canada’s most experienced real estate marketing firm. Over 2,500 communities. Every province. Sixteen states. And across the Caribbean. We tell builders’ stories in a new digital world.
Latest
News
01/26/2021
Our Bow Friends are now available!
Bow Friends are now available online, with all profits of every purchase being generously donated to the We Love You Connie Foundation.
Find Out More
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Q. Who exactly does the We Love You Connie Foundation Raise money for?
Q. What exactly does “100 cents of every dollar” mean?
Q. How am I able to make a donation to the foundation?
Q. Do you offer tax receipts?
Q. How many people are diagnosed annually in Canada and the United States?
Q. Am I able to volunteer with you?
The We Love You Connie Foundation is raising money for the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and the Montreal Children’s Hospital, so both can continue in their efforts to research and eliminate DIPG once and for all. The We Love You Connie Foundation also supports the Immunotherapy Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto. Internationally, the We Love You Connie Foundation supports DIPG research for the Immunotherapy trial at the Vitanza Lab at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Epigenetic 3 Drug Combination Treatment trial at the Ziegler Lab, Children’s Cancer Institute (Sydney, Australia, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, USA), the DIPG Centre of Expertise (Zurich, Switzerland), and has previously supported the IOZK Clinic (Koln, Germany) and the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (Miami, USA).
100 cents of every dollar means that literally every cent donated to the We Love You Connie Foundation will be given to most promising research at leading hospitals. Most charities have to deduct expenses from their donations for things like marketing and staff – any and all of these additional costs will be donated personally by the Guglietti family.
Thank you for your interest in making a donation. Please visit our donation page and either donate online through paypal, or download a form so you can make an offline donation via cheque or cash.
For all donations, you will receive a full tax receipt for any donation over $25. If you donate online, you will receive your tax receipt via email almost instantly. If you donate offline, we will mail you an official tax receipt.
300 children are diagnosed with DIPG in the USA and 30 in Canada and globally, roughly 1 in aM of the global population every year.
We don’t have regular office positions available, but when we run our events, we will need staff to help ensure they run smoothly. If you are interested in signing up to volunteer on an as-needed basis, please email [email protected].