A Legacy of Love, Lifted by Community
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Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer (Infinite Love) has long been a champion for children and families facing the unimaginable. Among its earliest and most passionate partners are Susan Funck and her daughter, Hannah Duffy.
When Hannah was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 13 years old, she made a choice not to retreat. A gifted soccer player and a beloved daughter, Hannah was as fierce on the field as she was kind off it. She was known for her quick wit, deep empathy, and the way she could light up a room without trying. In the face of unthinkable news, she didn’t let fear define her. Instead, she leaned into life—choosing to live fully and face every day with purpose, just as she always said she would: with no regrets.
She returned to the field with determination, surrounded by teammates who stood by her, not in pity, but in power. Friends, family, and even strangers were drawn in by her strength, inspired by how fully she embraced each day. Hannah never asked, “Why me?” She focused on what she could still do, how she could still show up, and how much she still had to give. Her spirit was radiant—an anchor for those around her, and a reminder that even in the hardest moments, joy can still lead the way.
After Hannah’s passing, Susan connected with Andrea Verdone Gorsegner, founder of Infinite Love. The two women—both mothers, both advocates—formed a powerful partnership rooted in grief, hope, and a shared commitment to change. Through the Hannah Duffy Foundation, established in Hannah’s memory, as well as in partnership with Infinite Love, Susan has helped to honor Hannah’s wishes and bring Hannah’s legacy into a new chapter: supporting research that gives all children facing cancer a fighting chance.
That mission led them to the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), a global consortium dedicated to accelerating cures. Over the years, the Hannah Duffy Foundation and now Infinite Love have become steadfast supporters of CBTN, helping to fund critical infrastructure that puts children and families at the center of scientific discovery.
A Gift from the Heart
Among the many people moved by Hannah’s story was David Aliprandi, a childhood friend of the family. Though his work in the U.S. State Department took him all over the world, David’s heart never strayed far from home—or from Hannah’s story.
After her passing, David told Susan that he planned to leave a portion of his estate to the Hannah Duffy Foundation when he retired—a quiet, selfless gesture that reflected his deep love for the family. But before that vision could be realized, David passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59. When the estate manager reached out, Hannah’s foundation had already closed.
Susan, guided by her understanding of David’s wishes and Hannah’s spirit, knew what to do. She directed the gift to CBTN—an organization Hannah’s family firmly believed in, and one that her Foundation had supported for years.
“I knew this was the right home for David’s gift,” Susan shared. “CBTN is doing the kind of work that changes the future. It felt like the perfect way to carry forward both Hannah’s and David’s legacies.”
David’s gift now powers some of the most essential—but often overlooked—parts of discovery: processing biospecimens, producing high-quality data, and making it accessible to researchers around the world. These are the steps that accelerate breakthroughs. They don’t always make headlines, but they are the backbone of real progress.
A Race Toward Hope
“These are the steps that move research forward,” said Gerri Trooskin, CBTN’s director of partnerships. “They’re not always visible, but they’re absolutely essential. Legacy gifts like David’s allow us to plan boldly and honor the stories that brought us here.”
And now, each spring, hundreds of families gather to run, walk, and remember. The Tutu Trot, which has become one of Infinite Love’s most beloved traditions, directs all proceeds from the event to fuel research at CBTN.
What began as a way to honor a beautiful child has grown into a celebration of life, community, and forward momentum. The event now brings together over 1,000 participants yearly, each one contributing to the kind of progress David envisioned and Hannah inspired.
“The Tutu Trot is full of heart,” Susan said. “It’s about fundraising, of course. But more than that, it’s about community storytelling. It’s about seeing love in motion. I think Hannah and David would be proud.”
Their story is a powerful reminder: behind every scientific breakthrough is a child. Behind every dataset is a family. And behind every legacy gift is the belief that we can—and must—do better for the kids who need us most.
When we come together with purpose, love, and even a tutu or two, we move one step closer to the world Hannah imagined. And because she lived with no regrets, we carry that spirit forward in everything we do.