Happy 36th Birthday, Ali!

To honor Ali's 36th birthday, the Alison Rose Foundation announces its 2023 Giving Campaign recipients, including Sisters Hospital, the Arc Erie County New York, and the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation (AFE). This year, the Alison Rose Foundation eclipses the $200,000 mark in total giving since our inception. We remain steadfastly committed to organizations that support maternal and baby health and direct support to families impacted by AFEs. We have included 2023 Giving Campaign details below. 

THANK YOU to all of you who have contributed to our fundraising efforts, as you have made it possible for us to honor Ali’s life. Ali loved to celebrate her birthday and to share that special time with family and friends. We ask that you all take a moment today to think of her and her impact on this world with your help, we can keep doing good in her memory. Happy birthday Ali, we love and miss you so much! 

More information on 2023 Giving:

• $36,000 to the Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Foundation to further research efforts of amniotic fluid embolisms, a rare and often fatal birth complication. The announcement comes just days after Alison Rose Waclawek’s 36th birthday (October 22nd), who the Alison Rose Foundation was created to honor after her tragic passing. 

“Since our founding in 2020, we have already donated over $95,000 to the AFE Foundation.  We are excited to be able to again make a significant contribution this year from the incredible support we receive from Ali’s family, friends, and the Buffalo and Rochester communities,” says Justin Waclawek, Co-Founder/President of the Alison Rose Foundation. “Our goal is to one day prevent anyone from having to experience this devastating birth complication. The AFE Foundation and their mission and dedication to advancing AFE research is in lockstep with that goal.  Every day, we work to continue Ali’s legacy of giving back to others and this $36,000 for Ali’s 36th birthday will go a long way in this.”

"The remarkable funds donated in Ali's memory have accelerated our research and allowed for the development of a comprehensive suite of clinical education resources equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge and training they need to save lives. These additional funds will be used to expand our state liaison program in disseminating these resources to hospitals and key stakeholders," shared Miranda Klassen, Executive Director of the AFE Foundation.  

• $5,000 to Sisters Hospital Foundation dedicated to the Labor and Delivery ward

“Ali and Ada received incredible care at Sisters, and we know how Ali’s tragic passing impacted the close knit team at the hospital.  We are pleased to support the Labor and Delivery team at Sisters,” said Justin Waclawek.

“Thank you, Justin, Ada and the Alison Rose Foundation once again for honoring Ali’s memory with such an impactful gift. We continue to be amazed by your generosity and we will direct this gift to our labor and delivery unit and its dedicated caregivers,” said Anne Snyder, Executive Director, Sisters Hospital Foundation.

• $5,000 to The Arc Erie County New York dedicated to their Preschool Education Program

“One of the many tragic outcomes of AFE’s can be the impact they have on newborns, which can have lasting effects on adolescent development,” said Waclawek. “The Arc Erie County New York provides exceptional educational programs, including its Preschool Evaluation Program and its multidisciplinary and specialized Preschool Education Program.  The Alison Rose Foundation is proud to support The Arc Erie County New York”

“The Arc Erie County New York is honored to receive this generous gift from The Alison Rose Foundation,” said Douglas DiGesare, President/CEO of the Arc Erie County New York. “As a long time service provider in Buffalo and Erie County, our goal is to support children, adults and their families throughout all of life’s successes and challenges. We are privileged to carry on Alison’s legacy and will be using this gift to support the lives of young children who receive services in our education program.”