Rainbows upon rainbows shone in sync with the sun on a colorful Sunday in July at the Rainbow Foundation's first annual tournament in loving memory of Stella Liniado A”H. 

This past January, six-and-a-half-year-old Stella lost her fight with leukemia. But her mission continues.

“The more people that are tested, the more people she'll be saving,” said her mother. Begun by Stella's family in February, the Rainbow Foundation's main goals are to conduct bone marrow testing, further cancer research, and provide family counseling. “Stella always loved rainbows,” said her mother. “She was all about rainbows—She was our rainbow.”

The foundation works in conjunction with Gift of Life, the Jewish Bone Marrow Registry whose mission is to increase the representation of the Jewish people in the registry.

“There has to be an awareness problem,” said Albert, Stella's father. There's no reason to be afraid of donating, because bone marrow transplants aren't done through spinal taps anymore, and it's a very simple procedure, comparable to giving blood. Furthermore, you’re given  the chance of a lifetime: to save someone's life.

A recruitment drive for Stella last summer added 6,000 donors to the registry. 

The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and hopes to add 25,000 adults from the community to the registry, but will not stop there. After hitting the 25,000 person mark, it will shift its focus to adding 18-year-olds and young adults to the registry, building the database and possible matches. “Then our community will be protected for life,” said Albert.

Although they can't be tested yet, kids found other ways to help out. Stella's oldest brothers, Justin and Marc, organized the boys basketball and girls tennis tournaments for grades 9 through 12 with their friends to benefit the Rainbow Foundation and the fight against Leukemia. There were 42 basketball teams and 21 tennis pairs. Hosted at Valerie and Scott Dweck's home, their backyard was packed all day with hundreds of teenagers.

“Stella's one-stop-shop” included “Friends Fighting Cancer” T-shirts, bracelets and drawstring bags, and CDs of Stella's favorite songs. People were also able to buy pink tennis balls with the word hope stamped on them to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

After much competing and whistle blowing by Referee Jimmy Garson, Stella's uncle, the basketball champions were Gabe Abadi, Marcus Adjmi, Joseph Ashkenazi and MVP Daniel Beda. Raquel Cayre and Cookie Chera took home the gold in tennis after defeating  Lillian Adjmi and Jennifer Betesh.

“We plan to do this every year,” said Mary. She explained that it's important for everyone to get tested because as an ethnic group, chances for a match are better within the community.

Funding is also essential for testing as each test kit costs $75. The Gift of Life has distributed some kits, but more are needed. Donations can be made through the Rainbow Foundation's website, www.stellasrainbowfoundation.com. You can visit the site for more information. 

The foundation plans to arrange a softball tournament in Stella's memory this month and a benefit concert in Manhattan during November. “We don't want anyone to forget Stella, or her mission,” said Stella’s father.

Written by: Yvonne Harari