SYOSSET, NY — Olivia Hope Foundation launched its “Duck Childhood Cancer” merchandise line in time for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September.
People can buy Olivia Hope Foundation hoodies or joggers in black or gray. All proceeds will benefit the charity’s mission to fund cancer research and provide financial aid to families who have a child facing a diagnosis.
The foundation was created in memory of Olivia Hope LoRusso, who died of acute myeloid leukemia in 2017 at the age of 12. Olivia’s mother, Shelley, was joined by Olivia’s sisters, Gia and Sabrina, in creating the charity.
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Gia designed the merchandise with her sister in heart and mind. Each item features the foundation’s logo and mascot, Ducky, in honor of the plush duck Olivia carried everywhere since birth.
“Especially in treatment, it was by her side through everything,” Gia told Patch.
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The logo, colored orange and pink, showcases that the foundation is geared toward children. A white version of the logo is used on the gray merchandise.
“We wanted to make sure Ducky was incorporated in our merchandise along with the idea of ‘Duck Childhood Cancer,'” Gia explained. “[Olivia] would definitely love everything and love that Ducky was included.”
The foundation has been focusing a lot of time lately on its Warrior Support program, where the charity helps families with a child battling cancer. The nonprofit also announced its save-the-date for its sixth annual “Evening of Hope” gala: May 9, 2025.
The fifth annual gala, held in May, raised $230K.
The charity has started planning early this year, only taking a month off before preparing for next year’s event.
“We’re actively looking for sponsors and stuff people could donate for our silent and live auction,” Gia said. “We just really want to get a head start, because we had an amazing turnout in May. We want to continue to grow and get bigger and bigger every year. I think that is our main focus right now, along with the ‘Duck Childhood Cancer’ merchandise launch, which I’m very excited to see the feedback from everyone. So far it’s been great, but it’s only been up for about [a day or so]. I’m really excited to start shipping that merchandise out and seeing everyone’s thoughts.”
Olivia Hope Foundation has sold merchandise in the past, but Gia said the charity wanted to push its new slogan, “Duck Childhood Cancer,” through the new clothing. She hopes she achieved creating unisex clothing that everyone could wear to spread the message, especially in September.
Previous clothing sold by the charity featured the Ducky logo with the charity’s name. The new merchandise adds the slogan, which Gia called a “definite upgrade” as she hopes the clothing line can grow in the near future and spread the message of childhood cancer awareness.
Click here to read a Q&A with Olivia Hope Foundation’s Gia LoRusso.
The foundation is running a limited quantity of its current designs. Once they sell out, Gia plans to craft merchandise bearing different designs, including more hoodies and the possible return of flannel pajamas.
“I love designing different ideas. That’s why I like sourcing these and getting them in smaller quantities,” Gia said. “I like coming up with more ideas for sweatshirts. It keeps everyone engaged.”
The foundation has five extra small hot pink hoodies left that the charity sold for Valentine’s Day, Gia said. The current launch is a larger scale.
“I’m excited for these to cycle throughout everyone, and then I’m excited to create some more designs and ideas,” Gia said.
Gia thanked Long Island University for donating their space and photographer’s time for a photoshoot so the foundation could save its funding.
“I had planned on taking the photos myself,” she said. “Then I started reaching out to some people at LIU, where I graduated from, and they generously donated their space and photographer. I got a bunch of my friends together and we all took photos and it was a lot of fun. I’m just very grateful for my friends and LIU for being involved. The photographer, Jonathan, he was great. I’m really happy it all worked out and that we were able to keep costs down while promoting it.”
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