Martina's Wish Foundation Inc

Meet the Founder​

My name is Elena Rivera, Founder and President of Martina's Wish Foundation. That is me in the photo holding my son Dion Jr. for the very first time.



In 2010, I was pregnant with twins—a boy and a girl. I went into premature labor at 24 weeks. My son, Dion Jr., was immediately transported to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, which was about twenty minutes from our home. I saw him for the first time four days later. My daughter Martina, in whose name and memory this foundation exists, passed away after just one hour.

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In the four frightening months Dion Jr. was in the NICU, my family and I were offered help with daily parking passes and food vouchers. Dion Jr. is now a healthy and thriving twelve-year-old, for whom I am endlessly grateful.

 

I founded Martina’s Wish to offer the same assistance we were given and more: transportation; parking; gas vouchers; lodging, if necessary; and post-discharge care (i.e. diapers, formula, baby clothing), on an as needed basis.