As a volunteer with FOK for over 30 years I have witnessed the incredible generosity, compassion and incredible efforts of the staff and social workers and volunteers. The impact on families of this hands-on organization is visible daily and the fact they help every member of a family stricken by the critical illness of a child means everyone can relate to their need and impact. I’ve been a Donor and volunteer and committee member for fundraisers.
I have been a Friends of Karen donor since 2011. I have supported its programs for Easter/Passover dinner, back to school supplies, holiday gifts for sick kids and their siblings. I also donate by recurring monthly gift to be spent wherever the need is greatest.
I became a supporter because of the amazing things they do as told to me by a colleague whose wife worked there.
I read every newsletter that often includes at least one story of a family's battle with their child's illness and in how many ways Friends of Karen supported all their needs financially as well as emotionally.
I cannot over emphasize the amazing job Friends of Karen did during Covid. Families already taxed with bills to pay on one income, if that, (one parent has to be present with the child throughout their ordeal) were devastated when the breadwinner lost their job. At great expense and risk Friends of Karen appealed to supporters and paid families' bills to keep them afloat.
The testimonies of the sick child, his/her siblings and parents about the support they received leaves no doubt in my mind that Friends of Karen is an amazing organization and Judith Factor, Executive Director, is up to any and every challenge.
This is a Five Star organization and I am proud to support it.
I was introduced to “Friends of Karen “
when Gwen Salmo spoke to our student service team at P.S.1in Manhattan. about the mission and work done by your nonprofit organization.Year after year the students voted to contribute funding
to “Friends of Karen.”..
My colleague and friend Harriet Savitz has continued this work through her volunteerism
and contributions of time and talent
at your Westchester location.
I applaud you all for supporting and uplifting families in their time of need.
E. Christian / NY
My 5 year old son was diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Ever since then Friends of Karen has given my daughter and I amazing support throughout the years. Without Friends of Karen I don't know what I would have done. Our social worker, Sarah, gave us financial and emotional support for over 8 years. Now I'm receiving bereavement support from them. The organization is truly appreciated.
Friends of Karen is an incredible organization that provides both economic and emotional support to families dealing with a severely sick child. The life line that Friends of Karen provides is not once. It’s an ongoing support for as long as the family needs and sadly , many times after the child has passed away.
I’ve volunteered for 39 years for this organization and seen first hand how the social workers and staff negotiate every necessary element of daily life from rent money, food , school supplies, sibling
support programs and on and on to meet any need the family and child has. If I could give 10 stars , I absolutely would !
Although I do not have first hand experience with how Friends of Karen has helped me, I read all the letters and communications that are sent to me after I have made frequent donations. I see how this fabulous, caring and devoted organization, reaches out to families to ease their burdens, whether they be financial, emotional or social, when they are in need because of severe medical issues that affect their lives. It appears that Friends of Karen never turns its back on families that are in crisis; rather it stretches its arms out to support both the parents, the siblings and the child in crisis until a satisfactory solution is found. I have supported Friends of Karen for many years and this wonderful organization always has my heart.
Friends of Karen is one of the few pediatric cancer foundation that provides ongoing (not one time) support to families. They are a wonderful resource for families impacted by a pediatric cancer diagnosis.
We have supported Friends of Karen for over 30 years. During that time we have had the great satisfaction of knowing that our donations have gone to help hundreds of seriously ill children, their siblings and families. We have come to appreciate Friends of Karen commitment to the families they serve. So often you can donate specific items for holidays or back to school. This is because Friends of Karen's first priority is the families they serve and not themselves.
I look forward to working with Friends of Karen every year. They provide amazing support to so many families. I love helping and supporting their goals. Everyone i meet is so friendly and welcoming. they work so hard to fundraise so they can continue to support all the families. Love the organization and recommend it to everyone i know.
Friends of Karen is God sent. My daughter Semma, who is 2.5 years old, was diagnosed with Taysachs disease (regressive brain disorder with life span between 2 and 5yo) 3 days after first birthday and has been in palliative care for almost a year now. We bought our first home months prior to finding out about Semma's diagnosis. My wife had to stop working and I recently had to resign from my state job as a child social worker, losing my pay, benefits, and pension. Friends of Karen and our wonderful cw, Melissa Baguzis, has been helping out not only with some funds to help us get by, but also just being there to listen and advocate. We will forever be indebted to Friends of Karen and Melissa for all that they do. They provide my wife, my 5 yo daughter and myself to take advantage of the most blessed of blessings, and that is TIME. Time we won't get back with our Semma. Time to worry about making her as comfortable as possible and showering her with love rather than worry about when my next bill payment or grocery payment will come. God bless FOK and Melissa!
Sheila, the founder of this amazing organization, swooped into my family's life when I was fighting neuroblastoma. She and Friends of Karen supported my parents emotionally and financially during a super frightening time. I have proudly volunteered for and supported this charity finanicially since my cancer went into remission 32 years ago. Ecstatic that folks have kept Sheila's vision alive! ❤️
Review from Guidestar
This organization supported my family when my four year old daughter was in the last stages of Brain cancer. They supported us emotionally and financially and helped us get through our darkest hour. I cannot say enough positive things about the organization and their support. They truly love the families they help and the money they raise helps thousands of families a year. Please donate to this organization and know your money is directly helping families in need.
Review from Guidestar
I have served on the Board of Friends of Karen for four years now, and I could not be more satisfied with the quality of service, efficiency of fundraising and spending (84 cents of every dollar goes directly to the families!) and transparency of this amazing organization. I am an active volunteer and philanthropist, but of all the causes I support, Friends of Karen is by far the first place I want to give my time and money.
The work Friends of Karen does is essential to the stability of families caring for a critically-ill child.
Friends of Karen is a wonderful not-for-profit with integrity and with need of support and fundraising. This group has a website www.friendsofkaren.org/ and a presence on www.facebook.com/FriendsOfKaren - they work so hard to support critically ill children and their families. They give back to the community more than they receive, and deserve to be recognized and honored. Thank you!