Driven by Love: The Emilio Nares Foundation Story

No child should ever miss a cancer treatment because their family can’t find a ride. And no parent should ever have to navigate their child’s life-threatening illness alone.

That’s the heart behind the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) — a nonprofit dedicated to guiding families through their child’s journey with cancer and other critical illnesses, offering compassion, dignity, and hands-on care at every step. Founded in memory of Emilio Nares, who lost his battle with leukemia at just 5 years old, ENF has become a lifeline for families facing unimaginable challenges — from transportation barriers and food insecurity to mental health needs and end-of-life support.

Their mission is simple, yet powerful: no family fights alone.

Impact at a Glance (Last Year)

• 101,664 miles driven to ensure children made it to lifesaving treatments
• 4,839 individuals served through wraparound care
• 2,600 snack bags provided to children fasting for chemotherapy
• Services delivered across 6 counties in Southern California

Programs That Heal the Whole Family

• Ride With Emilio ENF’s signature program offers free, safe, and reliable transportation for children battling life-threatening conditions. For many low-income families, this means the difference between receiving treatment… or not. Each mile driven is a step toward hope.
• Emilio’s Snack Bags For children who must fast before chemotherapy, ENF provides nutrient-rich, hospital-approved snacks — small gestures that carry big impact during moments of discomfort and fear.
• Creating for Hope Through knitting and crocheting sessions, parents and children find a gentle space for peer connection and mental health support — a creative outlet in a clinical world.
• Healing Through Nature After remission, families are invited outdoors for nature-based healing activities — a chance to reconnect, rebuild, and rediscover joy after trauma.
• End-of-Life Support In the most heartbreaking moments, ENF stands beside families with emotional guidance and financial assistance for burial costs, ensuring dignity and protection during their grief.
• Family Resource Center Multilingual, wraparound services provide help with housing, food, childcare, mental health, and more, often right at the child’s bedside in the hospital.

From the first diagnosis to the final ride home — whether a child survives or not — ENF is there.

Their care is comprehensive, their team is compassionate, and their reach continues to grow.

At TALTalks 2025, we’ll hear the inspiring story of the Emilio Nares Foundation — how one family’s loss became a beacon of hope for thousands.

Because every child deserves the chance to heal — And every parent deserves the strength of a community behind them.