We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Caruso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, why did you pursue a creative career?
My name is Jennifer Caruso and I am honored to share more about my family’s nonprofit organization, the Swirls Around the World Foundation.

Swirls Around the World Foundation, honoring the life of Matthew Cirelli, embraces his spirit and courage as it supports children and young adults battling cancer. The foundation was created in honor of Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at age 17 and passed away in 2013 at the age of 19. Along with being an incredible son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend, he was also our inspiration. We have made it our mission to carry on his legacy by supporting other children and young adults battling cancer.

Swirls around the World Foundation is a continuation of Matt’s story to……

…Travel the world. Matt had a love for travel, exploring new places and a desire to someday visit places around the world. One part of the foundation distributes Swirls Strong bracelets, which were made by Matt before his passing. People are encouraged to take the bracelets with them on their travels and take a Swirls picture at their favorite place.Pictures can be emailed to swirlsaroundtheworld@gmail.com to be added to the Swirls Around the World Facebook page and Instagram so everyone can enjoy following all the places Matt continues to travel. Swirls has already traveled along with friends and family to over 700 destinations and 6 continents! A beautiful reminder that Matt’s spirit lives on everywhere we go and to raise awareness of childhood and young adult cancers.

…Go to college. The foundation organizes several fundraising events each year to raise funds for annual scholarships in Matt’s name for high school seniors helping to pursue Matthew’s dream of attending college.

…Pay it forward. Matt always went out of his way to help others in need. Swirls Around the World Foundation continues to Pay it Forward for Matt by sending out Swirls Packages of Love each month to a child or young adult battling cancer or by organizing a special day for a warrior and their family to help make their day a bit brighter.
To show our appreciation for the care Matt received, several times per year, the foundation also donates packages of gifts to the Massachusetts General Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Center.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Last year, I graduated Physician Assistant School and passed my boards, making me a Certified Physician Assistant. I recently made the move to New York City to start my first job at New York Presbyterian Hospital as a PA on the Hematology/Oncology inpatient team.

The road to becoming a PA was not an easy one. It was one that contained many obstacles, but it is the obstacles that made me the person I am today. I learned how to face adversity. And that it’s okay to ask for help when needed, that asking for help is a sign of strength. I discovered that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for, and I am still learning how to conquer self doubt.

I am grateful everyday for my family, friends, and all who have helped and supported me every step of the way. The ones who gave me an extra push when I needed it. Who believed in me when I did not believe in myself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout-out to all of the warriors and angels who my family and I have had the honor of connecting with through Swirls.

And I would like to dedicate this shout-out to our hero, Matthew “Swirls” Cirelli. I hope we are making you proud.

Website: www.swirlsaroundtheworld.org

Instagram: @swirlsaroundtheworld

Twitter: @SwirlsStrong

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swirlsstrong

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC-phoa2FQH7mkPG_XRbh1xQ

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