Two charities, miles apart, recently received substantial boosts to their foundations. Two couples, also miles apart, joined together in grief and turned it into positive energy.
Justin Mancias of Keller Williams Platinum Realty led a committee that successfully organized Ryderfest 2023, generating an astounding $30,000 in donations for two charities, Elle’s Angels of Langhorne and IM ABLE, Wyomissing.
This event provided a substantial boost to the IM ABLE Foundation, committed to making a difference in the lives of children living with disabilities and Elle’s Angels Foundation, dedicated to finding a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a form of childhood cancer, said Brian Sutherland, IM ABLE’s Director of Development.
Toby and Jenna Knechtle, Sinking Spring, PA met Derek and Kristi Caruso, Langhorne, PA when each couple’s child was fighting for their life.
Both children, Ryder Knechtle and Elle Caruso, had DIPG. Unfortunately, Ryder and Elle lost their fight to the disease, each at age five; Elle in 2021 and Ryder in 2022. Elle’s legacy is the non-profit organization, Elle’s Angels. Ryder’s name will live on through Ryderfest, a community event and cornhole tournament fundraiser, organizers said
Together, the Knechtles and the Carusos focused their grief into positive energy, raising funds to find a cure for DIPG through the non-profit Elle’s Angels Foundation.
Both of these foundations are here for one purpose,” said Mancias, “to provide hope in our community and beyond for people who absolutely need it most. We will continue to support these Foundations for years to come thanks to their commitment to providing love, hope, and confidence.”
“When Ryder was diagnosed, we made a promise that we would help battle D.I.P.G. alongside his family and in his name as long as we are able. Ryder left behind such a powerful legacy of love and support throughout our community, and we want to make sure his legacy continues to grow day after day, ” Mancias said.
“Elle has inspired us and so many, from her battle with cancer. She left her mark on this world in just five short years that some may never do in a lifetime. Life is so precious, and we need to cherish every moment of it,” said her father, Derek.
“We are going to continue to honor our daughter’s legacy through Elle’s Angels Foundation. The mission of Elle’s Angels Foundation is to advocate and fund essential research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on DIPG. Of childhood cancer related deaths in this country, brain tumors are the #1 cause of those deaths, which receives less than 1% of federal funding for research. We partner with children’s hospitals and research departments locally and across the country to help find a cure.”
“The grief really isn’t better, and I don’t think it ever will be,” Ryder’s father, Toby, posted on Facebook one year after Ryder passed. “It’s our new normal forever. But we’re all moving forward and finding that peace.”
Chris Kaag founded the IM ABLE Foundation in Wyomissing in 2007 to provide kids, like Ryder and Elle, and people living with disabilities of all ages with adaptive sports equipment and inclusive sports opportunities, enabling them to get active.
“IM ABLE serves people of all abilities. We are here for these kids who deserve the same opportunities as everyone else has, to have friends and a community around them, celebrating what they can do, whatever that is,” said Kaag.
“This tournament is a reminder that we are not alone in this fight,” said Derek. Kaag agreed, “it’s a reminder that we have this amazing community that steps up to make amazing things happen. We’re surrounded by great people who support our missions and all the people we serve. It’s unbelievable how much money they raised and how fun it was. That’s important.”
To learn more about DIPG , click DIPG. To learn more about the foundations, click Elle’s Angels or IM ABLE
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