GIVING BACK | PHILANTHROPY

Over the years, Christian De Berardinis has come to believe that the most meaningful things we do in life are often the quiet ones, done out of compassion and conviction. 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 resolve to make a difference, vowing to impact people’s lives for the better in ways both big and small.

For Christian, giving has taken many forms — from raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team in Training, to serving meals with the Bowery Mission, to taking part in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) where every dollar supports life-saving research. These efforts, along with countless races, volunteer hours, and financial contributions, have all been expressions of a single belief: that generosity is not about recognition, but about making sure help reaches the people and places where it is needed most.

Time and again, these experiences have reminded him of what truly matters — using energy, time, and resources to lift others up, honor those lost, and carry hope forward.  Here are just a few examples of the causes and communities that have shaped his journey of giving back.

Christian De Berardinis’s commitment to giving back found an early outlet in Team in Training, the endurance sports fundraising program of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What began as a way to stay active quickly became something much deeper: waking up in the freezing dark mornings of New York City, joining teammates on long training runs, and realizing that many of those running beside him were cancer survivors themselves. Their stories were moving, often told while pounding out miles through rain or snow, and their gratitude made the discomfort disappear.

That dedication carried Christian across finish lines on both coasts. In San Diego, he ran the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon with Team in Training — an event known for its electric atmosphere, live bands lining the course, and thousands of runners united in raising money for blood cancer research.

Later, in New York City, Christian ran the 2010 ING Marathon, wearing bib #14933, and finished in 4:03:09 (9:17 per mile pace) among nearly 45,000 finishers (official results link).

For Christian, these marathons weren’t just about personal achievement — they were about resilience, community, and purpose. Each mile was a reminder of why he had joined Team in Training in the first place: to raise awareness and funds for those battling leukemia and lymphoma, and to honor the survivors who embodied courage. Those finish lines marked not just personal milestones but also collective victories for a cause larger than himself.

Christian’s passion for giving back grew even stronger when breast 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 lasting impact. From that moment forward, he vowed to make a difference in people’s lives every day by giving back in a meaningful way.

That promise led him to join events supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to raise funds for organizations dedicated to research, prevention, and patient support. Running in charity races and awareness events, Christian carried with him the memory of his loved one — each mile a tribute, each finish line a step closer to hope.

Through these efforts, he also connected with the broader mission of groups like Susan G. Komen and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks. Both organizations rally millions every year, funding groundbreaking research, offering community support, and spreading lifesaving education.

For Christian, these weren’t just events — they were personal missions. By sharing his story and taking action, he hoped to encourage others to do the same, knowing that collective effort has the power to change lives.

Christian also took part in the Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC), South Florida’s largest fundraising event dedicated to fighting cancer. What started in 2010 as the Miami Dolphins Cycling Challenge has grown into a movement that unites thousands of participants each year — runners, walkers, and cyclists — all committed to raising money for cancer research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System.

For Christian, the DCC represented more than just another endurance challenge. Surrounded by survivors, caregivers, and fellow supporters, he found inspiration in the personal stories that fueled every mile. Each pedal stroke and stride was part of a collective mission to fund innovative treatments and give hope to those still in the fight.

By joining the DCC community, Christian connected his athletic pursuits with a cause close to his heart. The event was not just about physical endurance — it was about solidarity, remembrance, and determination to change the future of cancer care.

Christian’s commitment to philanthropy has taken many forms. In addition to the major events he has completed with Team in Training, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Dolphins Challenge Cancer, you will also have found him running half marathons in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run charities, and other causes dedicated to improving lives. Each event was more than a race — it was a chance to bring awareness, raise funds, and stand alongside those fighting life-threatening illnesses.

But Christian’s giving extends well beyond athletic events. He has committed financial 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, and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. For him, writing a check isn’t about tax benefits or recognition — it’s about multiplying impact and ensuring resources reach the people and places where they are needed most.

These are just a few of the moments and causes that have shaped how Christian gives back. There are countless others — every volunteer hour, every donation, every mile ridden or run. What ties them together is simple truth: giving back isn’t about recognition. It’s about honoring those he has lost, keeping his vow to make a difference, and being present for others — survivors, families, researchers, and everyone still fighting.

Because in the end, it’s not the medals, but the relationships, the stories, and the hope carried forward that he wants to be remembered by.

And this is only the beginning. Through Aperture Advisors, Christian is working on a structure that will make giving back a core part of what the firm does. The vision is to align success with service — ensuring that as the firm grows, so too does its impact.

There is more to come.