(Daily Hampshire Gazette) HOLYOKE — State Sen. John C. Velis, D-Westfield presented $20,000 in state funding to the Magic for Maddie Foundation on Saturday during the nonprofit’s annual 5K and carnival.
The event draws more than 2,000 people each year. It honors children who have survived cancer, are fighting the disease or have died from it.
The foundation was established in memory of Maddie Schmidt, who died at age 8 of an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. It helps families with the emotional and financial strain of childhood cancer and funds research. In 2025, it gave more than $80,000 to 32 western Massachusetts families to cover housing, groceries, utilities, transportation to treatment and medical costs. It has raised nearly $1.8 million in less than five years.
“No family should have to worry about paying their bills while their child is fighting cancer,” Velis said.
The funding was included in the fiscal 2027 state budget, which was signed into law in July.
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