Wikipedia

Draft:Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation

Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation
FounderKari McHugh
TypeNonprofit organization
82-4234341
FocusFamily support, child loss, pediatric cancer awareness
Location
  • Milton, Massachusetts, United States
Websitewww.mcmstrong.org
Michael C. McHugh, the inspiration for the Foundation.

The Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation, legally registered as Michael C. McHugh Memorial Fund Inc. and commonly known as the MCM Fund, is a nonprofit charitable foundation based in Milton, Massachusetts. The organization was created in memory of Michael Caleb McHugh, a Milton child who died in 2017 at age 13 after treatment for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare pediatric cancer.[1]

The foundation provides financial support to families in New England who are caring for a child with a serious or life-limiting illness or grieving the loss of a child. Its assistance includes funeral, memorial, and other non-medical end-of-life expenses, as well as practical support for essential living needs.[2][3] The organization is also associated with childhood cancer awareness activities in Massachusetts, including Glow Gold.[4]

History

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The foundation was established in January 2018 and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.[5] It was founded by Kari McHugh in memory of her son, Michael Caleb McHugh.[6]

Michael Caleb McHugh died in August 2017 after a 15-month illness with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.[1] His obituary, published by The Boston Globe and The Patriot Ledger, requested donations to support nurses caring for cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital.[7]

In 2018, Kari Bornhorst McHugh wrote an essay for The Boston Globe Magazine about Michael's pediatric oncology nurses. The essay was later republished by the foundation and covered by Boston.com.[8][9]

Mission and services

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The foundation describes its mission as going "Beyond Sympathy" by providing tangible support to families after the loss of a child.[5] According to the foundation, its assistance may include funeral and memorial costs, non-medical end-of-life expenses, food, clothing, travel, and other basic needs.[10]

The foundation's support model relies in part on referrals from hospital social workers. The MCM Fund works with social workers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children's Hospital, and these relationships serve as the primary source of family referrals. Its website states that families should first use support available through hospital or institutional funds and that the MCM Fund may provide assistance when those funds are unavailable or exhausted. When possible, payments are made directly to funeral homes.[11]

As of 2026, the foundation described a full funeral or memorial grant as providing up to $5,000 in direct support.[10]

Glow Gold

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Students honoring childhood cancer awareness month during Glow Gold.

Glow Gold is a childhood cancer awareness initiative associated with the MCM Fund. The campaign takes place during September, which is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.[12]

The campaign began in 2019, with participation from the Town of Milton, Milton Public Schools, the Milton Police Department, the Milton Fire Department, and community members. The Milton Scene reported that the effort raised awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, with donations supporting the Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation and other childhood cancer-related causes.[13]

In 2021, The Patriot Ledger covered Milton students participating in Glow Gold activities for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.[14] That year, the Milton Times published a commentary by Evan Johnson, then a Milton High School senior and friend of Michael McHugh, encouraging participation in the Glow Gold Walk/Run/Ride campaign.[15]

In 2023, the Milton Times reported that Milton Public Schools and the Town of Milton were celebrating Glow Gold for the third year. That year's campaign included a month-long Jumping Jack Challenge open to residents and students, a blood drive, school-based education, participation at sports events, and a townwide Glow Gold Day on September 29.[12]

The Jumping Jack Challenge set a goal of 15,780 jumping jacks, representing one for every child diagnosed with cancer each year. The campaign encouraged schoolchildren to participate during school and invited residents to display gold ribbons and lights in support of childhood cancer awareness.[12]

The Milton Times described the MCM Fund as a local charity named in honor of Michael McHugh, the son of Michael and Kari McHugh. The article reported that the organization had raised more than $150,000, supported more than 40 families with everyday needs, helped families unable to afford funeral expenses after losing a child, and supported organizations providing respite during and after treatment.[12]

The Milton Select Board issued a proclamation recognizing Glow Gold Day in 2023. Town meeting materials described the MCM Fund as an organization founded to honor Michael McHugh and to support low-income families with everyday needs and families who have lost a child with funeral, memorial, and non-medical end-of-life expenses.[16]

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month recognition

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In September 2023, the Massachusetts Senate adopted a resolution commending Glow Gold, the Michael C. McHugh Memorial Fund, Inc., and the Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Alliance for recognizing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.[17]

The resolution noted that several Massachusetts bridges, including the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge in Boston, the Fore River Bridge, and the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge, would be illuminated gold in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Michael's Journey". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Request Support". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Milton Glows Gold". Milton Public Schools. September 12, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Foundation Overview". Glow Gold. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Michael C McHugh Memorial Fund Inc". Simpli Charity Directory. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Michael McHugh Obituary". The Patriot Ledger. August 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2026 – via Legacy.com.
  8. ↑ "Why I'll never forget my son's nurses". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Mother shares why she'll never forget her late son's nurses in moving essay". Boston.com. February 6, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Donate". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Partners". Michael C. McHugh Memorial Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Carroll, Elaine Cushman (September 10, 2023). "Jumping in for Milton Glows Gold". Milton Times. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Milton goes GOLD for Childhood Cancer Awareness, September 16-30". The Milton Scene. September 20, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Milton students glow gold for pediatric cancer awareness month 2021". The Patriot Ledger. September 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ Johnson, Evan (October 6, 2021). "Join Milton Glows Gold Walk/Run/Ride". Milton Times. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Select Board Meeting Packet". Town of Milton, Massachusetts. August 8, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Ceremonial Resolution: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month". Tarr Talk. September 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
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