Emilio Nares

Emilio’s Story

When Emilio was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), his parents Richard & Diane Nares, felt their world turned upside down cycling through emotions including fear, promise, desperation, and hope. Despite a relapse, intensive chemotherapy, marrow registry search, and a transplant, the Nares family say they felt lucky. They had family, friends, even strangers reaching out to help them. However, while living at the hospital, it became clear not everyone has the same kind of support.

After Emilio passed away just before his sixth birthday, he passed the torch on to his parents who honored his memory by creating the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) to help low-income underserved families meet basic needs, especially transportation. Emilio’s spirit can be felt in the hundreds of young patients ENF helps annually — laughter in the van, a comforting hand during hard times at the hospital, and the smiling eyes of our families. He looks after us all.

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Awards & Recognition

Massachusetts General’s Annual “Top 100” Cancer Advocacy

Richard Nares was selected as a 2015 honoree of “the one hundred,” created and supported by Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. It recognizes 100 individuals and groups from around the globe whose commitment to the fight against cancer is inspiring and revolutionary.

San Diego Padres Foundation Comunidad Award

ENF was selected in 2013 by members of the Padres’ Hispanic Community Leadership Council (HCLC) for its dedication to improving the lives of families and youth, specifically in the area of children’s health. The award pays tribute to individuals or organizations whose work makes a positive impact on those who live and work in San Diego’s Hispanic community

Lead San Diego

ENF’s “Loving Tabs” shirt project was selected as one of six LEAD San Diego Leadership Action Team Initiative recipients in 2012. LEAD San Diego annually renews its commitment to community service through its Leadership Action Team Initiative, the service-learning component of its 10-month signature program, IMPACT San Diego.

KPBS Local Hero

KPBS and Union Bank honored Richard Nares during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2011. The Local Heroes Award is the culmination of a year-long celebration of diversity that recognizes 17 people who are making a difference to enrich the lives of others.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation “Top 10 National Community Health Leaders” Award

In 2011, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) honored Richard Nares among 10 people who have overcome daunting odds to improve the health and quality of life for disadvantaged and underserved communities across the country.