The greatest nightmare any parent could endure is outliving their child. Children are meant to carry on a family’s legacy, to grow into adulthood, and—if fate allows—to have families of their own. Parents dream of watching their grandchildren grow, cherishing the future they’ve helped shape.
Sometimes, however, life takes an unexpected and devastating turn. A terminal illness, a tragic accident, or a natural disaster can shatter those dreams in an instant. Too often, the careless actions of others bring irreversible consequences.
Life as You Know It Can Change in a Moment.
That is the painful reality the Andreozzi family faced on March 26, 2003. Tori Lynn Andreozzi, a bright and compassionate young woman, was struck by an impaired driver while walking home from school. Though she survived, her injuries were severe, confining her to a wheelchair and requiring life-long care from her family.
For two decades, Tori’s mother, Cathy Andreozzi, devoted herself to her daughter’s care. When Tori passed away on November 1, 2022, Cathy was left with an unbearable loss.
But for Cathy, the story didn’t end there. It was just the beginning.
Turning Pain Into Purpose.
“Life as you know it can change in a moment,” Cathy said. “The most paralyzing question is, ‘Why? and What if?’ It keeps you stuck, standing still. Instead, I had to ask, ‘What now?’ ‘What now’ moves you forward.”
Determined to honor her daughter’s spirit and prevent other families from experiencing the same pain, Cathy founded the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation. Its mission: to empower people to make better choices—whether that means never driving under the influence or understanding the lasting impact of their choices.
Through advocacy, education, and partnerships with law enforcement, the Foundation sparks critical conversations among parents, children, and community leaders. It offers support to families affected by tragedy, and works tirelessly to prevent future heartbreak.
“As parents, we fix things. But I couldn’t fix the thing I wanted most,” Cathy shared. “What I could do was live by the principle that guided Tori’s life: pay it forward. I know, with all my heart, that my daughter would have made a difference in this world. Since she wasn’t given that chance, I vowed to be her voice—to ensure that no other family suffers as we have.
The Ripple Effect.
Cathy channeled her grief into action, sharing Tori’s story in a powerful public awareness campaign called The Ripple Effect. A series of television commercials depicted the devastating consequences of impaired driving, with Cathy narrating how their lives were forever changed.
The campaign resonated deeply.
“The Ripple Effect never ends,” Cathy said. “It’s generational. So many lives changed that day—from Tori’s friends to the first responders. It made people see the fragility of life differently.”
Tori’s impact began long before tragedy struck.
When she was just five years old, Tori traveled with her mother and other families to a karate tournament in Washington, D.C. At a food court, the parents each gave their children $5 to buy candy. One by one, the kids returned, their hands full of treats—except for Tori.
Noticing this, Cathy asked, “Where’s your candy?”
“I didn’t get any,” Tori replied.
“Then where’s your $5?”
Tori glanced toward a man in the corner—an amputee, with a collection can beside him.
“He needed it more than I did,” she said.
Tori never asked for more money. She never asked the other children to share. She had made a choice—to give what she had to someone in greater need—and she never looked back.
A Call to Action.
Cathy hopes that Tori’s story will make people pause before making choices that could change lives forever.
“My simple ask is this: Think before you act. Remember that every decision we make has consequences—some that extend far beyond ourselves.
“Our choices create the moments in our lives. They will either be moments we long to relive, or ones we live to regret,” Cathy said. “Please, choose wisely. And always, always pay it forward—with love, from Tori.”
To follow our upcoming campaign, Pay It Forward With Love From Tori, the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation invites anyone who wants to learn more or get involved, to visit their website at www.torilynnfoundation.org. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Contributions can be made to:
Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation, P.O. Box 3326, Narragansett, RI, 02882.
Recognizing there is a CHOICE in every MOMENT, finding the COURAGE to make a difference, sustaining HOPE for the future.
