What started as a personal tribute has become an annual holiday event on Staten Island. Joseph DiMartino founded Lights for Life in memory of his wife, Debra Ann, who died during the September 11 attacks while working in the South Tower. After her death, DiMartino was left to raise two daughters and sought to honor her by bringing hope to others.
This year, the DiMartino family donated $91,554 to the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). The amount marks their highest fundraising total so far. The donation includes $7,500 from Island Auto Group, with Marcello Sciarrino and Michael Bobson contributing on behalf of the company.
“Nearly 25 years later, that promise continues to shine brightly. The DiMartino family recently presented a $91,554 donation to the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), marking their most successful fundraising year to date. The total includes a $7,500 contribution from Island Auto Group, generously donated by Marcello Sciarrino and Michael Bobson. Their continued support has helped the initiative grow stronger year after year.”
The Lights for Life event has grown each year since its inception and now stands as a community tradition supporting pediatric cancer care at SIUH.
