About Us

About

Catherine Malatesta

Catherine Malatesta was a beautiful person both inside and out, embodying the very best of humanity. Her zest for life, huge heart, determination, loyalty, and generosity made her loved by everyone.
Catherine made all who knew her feel comfortable and at ease using her sense of humor and positive attitude and by flashing that brilliant smile. She loved music and could be heard humming or singing everywhere she went. Her brilliant smile, quick wit, and amazing singing voice lit up any room she entered.

Catherine was dedicated to her faith and taught first-grade CCD at St. Agnes Parish in Arlington. She excelled in so many ways, including being elected Student Council President and Captain of the field hockey team, rowing crew, singing in the AHS Madrigals, and acting in Arlington High School’s annual musicals.

Pure and Joyful, Just Like Her Name

Catherine's name means "pure" and "joyful noise", and she lived up to her name in every way. Her heart and soul were pure, good, unscathed, and innocent. She was remarkably kind and empathic, exemplified by her desire to give to others from a young age. Even in the fifth grade, she wrote an essay about what she would do if she won the lottery… Donate to The Children's Room in Arlington to make people who had lost someone special in their life feel better.

Down But Not Out

Catherine inspired everyone around her, even while she was sick. She continued to attend school, make college visits, and take her AP exams, inspiring her peers with her strength and determination.
She had a natural desire to make a difference in the world and would get out of bed even on tough days with a smile on her face. Her goal? To inspire others to find happiness in something, even if it was just the taste of the air.
Catherine was deeply caring for others and extremely loyal to her friends. She always had just the right thing to say, making time for a friend in need and being self-deprecating to put them at ease.
Despite facing other obstacles as a tween, Catherine remained resilient and strong, always wanting to include and help others. She had a contagious joyfulness and a goofy side that made her the loudest person ever, truly embodying "joyful noise."

About the Catherine J. Malatesta Foundation

A few weeks after Catherine died the Arlington, MA community decided to raise money for a scholarship in Catherine's memory. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised in a short amount of time. Two scholarships were established. Shortly thereafter, Catherine's family decided to continue to fundraise in Catherine's memory, but now the focus shifted to raising funds for sarcoma research and raising awareness about sarcoma cancer. Sarcoma is so rare and therefore such a woefully underfunded cancer. Also, nobody seemed to know what sarcoma was. Planning for the first a CATpella Festival to Belt Out Cancer began in earnest. It was held in January 2017 and was an enormous success. In the aftermath of this successful fundraiser the family decided to launch a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation in Catherine's memory called the Catherine J. Malatesta Foundation.
The Foundation was established in 2018. Each year the Foundation underwrites sarcoma research via the Sarcoma Foundation of America and pediatric cancer research via Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where Catherine was a patient. The Foundation also supports the Mass. General Center for Early Cancer Detection, the Children's Room, Team Impact, Make-A-Wish, Children's Wishes, Family Reach and many other organizations that either supported Catherine and her family during her cancer journey or who continue to support cancer research, patients and their families undergoing cancer treatment.

Impact from Past Events

The impact of the Catherine J. Malatesta Foundation has been nothing short of incredible:

> $200,000

Over $200,000 donated to the Sarcoma Foundation of America

> $57,000

$57,000 donated to the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute

> $52,520

$52,520 donated to the Mass General Center for Innovation in Early Cancer Detection

> $12,500

$12,500 donated to The Children’s Room
 
Indeed, our foundation’s commitment to cancer research and treatment is truly inspiring. But the Foundation’s generosity doesn’t stop there:

> $8,200

$8,200 donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

> $8,000

$8,000 donated to The Tomorrow Fund
 

> $7,505

$7,505 donated to Family Reach
 

> $6,470

$6,470 donated to the Robert F. Terry Foundation

In addition, research projects at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the American Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, etc. have received vital funding from the Foundation.  The Foundation has also supported Team Impact, Arlington Eats, FoodLink, individuals battling cancer, YMCA Camp Coniston, GriffStrong and the Dan Kelly Foundation, among many others.

The CJM Foundation has also directed more than $15,000 to the Catherine J. Malatesta Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to two deserving Arlington High School seniors each year.

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