GIVING BACK | PHILANTHROPY

Over the years, Christian De Berardinis has come to believe that some of the most meaningful things we do in life happen in the quiet moments — the ones rooted in compassion, community, and kindness. Giving back became deeply personal for him after one of the closest people in his life, his mother, was diagnosed with cancer and later passed away. That loss reshaped his perspective and strengthened his desire to make a difference, hoping to leave a positive impact in ways both big and small.

Christian’s giving has taken many forms: raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team in Training, serving meals with the Bowery Mission, participating in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge where every dollar supports life-saving cancer research, and most recently, joining families from Discovery Day School and Future Wavemakers for a hands-on Beach Clean-Up in Palm Beach.

During the Wavemakers event, parents and children worked together collecting debris along the shoreline, learning about ocean conservation, and discovering how small acts of care can help protect Florida’s beaches. Seeing the children lead with curiosity — and the parents guiding them with patience and pride — was a powerful reminder that stewardship begins at home. These simple, meaningful experiences help teach the next generation the importance of caring for the world around them.

Across all of these efforts, Christian continues to be reminded of what truly matters: using our time, energy, and compassion to lift others up, honor those we’ve lost, and give hope wherever it’s needed most. These are just a few examples of the causes and communities that have shaped his journey of giving back.

Serving meals at the Bowery Mission has been one of the most grounding and meaningful volunteer experiences in Christian’s life. The Bowery Mission has been helping New Yorkers in need since 1879 — offering meals, shelter, medical care, and life-changing programs for individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger, and crisis.

During his time volunteering, Christian joined other community members in preparing and serving hot meals to guests who depend on the Mission’s support. What stands out most from these experiences isn’t just the work itself, but the people — the conversations shared across the serving line, the kindness exchanged, and the reminder that compassion is something we can all offer, no matter who we are or where we come from.

The Bowery Mission teaches a simple but powerful lesson: dignity matters. Every meal served represents care, respect, and hope for someone going through a difficult time. Volunteers come from all walks of life, working side by side to lift others up in any way they can.

For Christian, these moments reinforced the belief that giving back isn’t about recognition — it’s about being present, offering support, and showing kindness when it’s needed most. The Bowery Mission continues to inspire him with the impact they make every day in the lives of New Yorkers.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, you can visit:
👉 https://www.bowery.org/get-involved/

Christian’s commitment to giving back found one of its earliest roots in Team in Training, the endurance sports fundraising program of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What began as a simple way to stay active quickly became something far more meaningful. Waking up before sunrise for long training runs, Christian was surrounded by teammates whose lives had been touched by blood cancer — survivors, caregivers, and families walking their own difficult journeys.

Hearing their stories changed the experience entirely. Every mile carried a purpose, every early morning run a reminder of the strength of those fighting leukemia and lymphoma. The shared determination and support within the Team in Training community transformed training into something deeper: a way to honor loved ones, raise awareness, and contribute to life-saving research.

Christian completed events with Team in Training on both coasts, including:

• The Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Marathon — known for its electric atmosphere, live bands, and thousands of runners united in support of cancer research.
• The ING New York City Marathon — one of the world’s most iconic races, where he joined nearly 45,000 runners making their way through all five boroughs.
   

These weren’t just races — they were opportunities to stand with families affected by cancer, celebrate survivorship, and carry forward the memory of those lost.

What stayed with Christian most was the reminder that giving back doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it looks like showing up, putting one foot in front of the other, and dedicating personal effort toward a cause greater than oneself. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to inspire him with the impact they make for patients, families, and researchers across the country.

If you'd like to learn more or get involved, you can visit:
👉 https://www.lls.org
👉 https://www.teamintraining.org

Christian’s passion for giving back grew even stronger when cancer touched someone very close to him. Watching one of the most important people in his life battle — and ultimately lose their fight — against the disease left a profound impact. From that moment forward, he felt called to support others facing similar hardship, hoping to honor his loved one’s memory through compassion, action, and community involvement.

That commitment led him to join events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and participate in charity walks dedicated to research, prevention, and patient support. In New York City, Christian took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, one of the nation’s largest awareness events organized by the American Cancer Society. Surrounded by survivors, families, supporters, and volunteers dressed in pink, he walked each mile with the memory of his loved one close to his heart — every step a tribute, every finish line a moment of hope.

Through these efforts, Christian also connected with organizations whose missions deeply resonate with him, including Susan G. Komen, whose nationwide initiatives fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and patient support. These groups continue to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of women and families across the country.

For Christian, these events are not simply walks — they are personal promises. By sharing his experience and taking part in awareness efforts, he hopes to encourage others to show up for those who are fighting, to support families in need, and to help push forward research that can save lives. It’s a reminder that when communities come together, even small acts can carry tremendous power.

If you'd like to get involved or learn more, you can visit:
👉 https://www.cancer.org
👉 https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_learn
👉 https://www.komen.org
👉 https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

Christian’s passion for giving back grew even stronger when cancer touched someone very close to him. Watching one of the most important people in his life fight — and ultimately lose their battle — left a lasting impact. From that moment forward, he felt called to support others facing the same struggle, hoping to bring awareness, comfort, and strength to families walking their own difficult journeys.

This led him to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and join community walks that raise funds for research, prevention, and patient support. In New York City, Christian took part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk — an inspiring gathering where survivors, families, caregivers, and supporters come together in solidarity, hope, and remembrance.

Each mile of these walks carried personal meaning. Christian walked with the memory of his loved one in his heart, dedicating each step as a quiet tribute and a small gesture of support for families going through similar battles. Being surrounded by thousands of people united by compassion reminded him how powerful community can be — especially when lifting up those affected by breast cancer.

Through these efforts, Christian also connected with organizations whose missions deeply resonate with him, including Susan G. Komen and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, both of which fund groundbreaking research, provide patient support, and help raise awareness nationwide.

For Christian, these weren’t just events — they were personal missions. By showing up, sharing his story, and walking alongside others, he hopes to encourage more people to join the fight, knowing that each act of support — no matter how small — has the power to change lives.

Christian’s commitment to philanthropy has taken many forms over the years. In addition to the major events he has completed with Team in Training in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Breast Cancer Awareness organizations, and the Dolphins Challenge Cancer, he has supported countless community programs and causes dedicated to improving lives.

Most recently, Christian and his family joined Discovery Day School and Future Wavemakers for a hands-on Beach Clean-Up in Palm Beach — a simple but meaningful morning teaching children the importance of caring for the environment. Watching parents and children work together along the shoreline was a reminder that giving back often happens in small, quiet moments that carry deep meaning.

Christian has also committed support to organizations making a measurable difference in the fight against cancer and other diseases, including the American Cancer Society, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. For him, giving is not about recognition — it’s about ensuring help reaches the people, families, and communities who need it most.

Whether running a marathon, serving meals, or teaching his children how to care for the ocean, Christian believes that giving back is one of the most meaningful expressions of gratitude and compassion. These experiences have shaped who he is — and the values he hopes to pass on.

There is always more good to do. And this journey is far from over.