Andrea Rizzo Foundation

The Andrea Rizzo Foundation is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Andréa Rizzo, a young woman who survived childhood cancer but tragically lost her life at the age of twenty-four in a car accident involving a drunk driver. The foundation supports programs that reflect Andréa's passion for using dance therapy to benefit children with cancer and special needs.

Background

Andréa Rizzo was a lifelong dancer who had a deep love for children and dance. She was a childhood cancer survivor, diagnosed with neuroblastoma at eighteen months old. Her recovery from this illness inspired her to pursue a career in dance therapy, which she believed could positively impact the lives of children facing similar challenges. Andréa was studying dance therapy in graduate school at NYU with the goal of helping these children through dance[3][4].

Mission and Activities

The foundation funds Dréa's Dream, a pediatric dance therapy program that uses movement to foster emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration in children. This program is designed to support children with cancer and special needs by providing them with access to trained dance therapists in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools[1][2].

Impact

Through its support of Dréa's Dream, the Andrea Rizzo Foundation seeks to ensure that children can benefit from dance therapy, even in challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It has partnered with organizations like St. Mary's Hospital for Children to continue dance therapy programs remotely, ensuring that children can continue their progress while staying safe at home[1].

Legacy

Andréa Rizzo's dream continues through the foundation's work, which aims to make a significant difference in the lives of children with cancer and special needs by providing them with the therapeutic benefits of dance. The foundation's mission is built on Andréa's belief that dance can be a powerful tool for healing and growth, reflecting her own personal experience with dance as a form of therapy during her school years[3][5].

[1] https://www.stmaryskids.org/story/the-andrea-rizzo-foundation-helping-families-during-covid-19/ [2] https://www.dreasdream.org [3] https://www.dreasdream.org/about-andrea/ [4] https://www.artsnowri.com/organization/the-andrea-rizzo-foundation/ [5] https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org194014.jsp