I have known of the KADMF for many years. They have been a fantastic support for many children and families with little to no resources. There has never been a fund like this, that provides for the services no one else does. As Peggy says often, "It is better to light a single candle, than curse the darkness".
What a joy it is to work with Peggy and the rest of the members. Each time we volunteer our time we are greeted with a big smile and THANK YOU. Many other programs don't do that. We LOVE supporting a Great cause for the Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund as they do fantastic work for the ones in need
KADMF has been so helpful to the families I am assisting. It is so nice to work with an organization that understands the struggles of families with children who experience chronic illness.
I am happy to be a part of such a great nonprofit. Everyone in the organization is truly committed to serving families affected by the chronic illness of a child.
When I worked at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, I met Peggy Dolan in 1994 and was introduced to the good works of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund. It has been an honor to know this organization and see first hand what good works they have done for the families of critically ill children. Since I am now retired and live in Florida, I continue to support the KADMF monetarily because I know the funds go to help the families.
I both work in the field and have a child with a disability. I've seen KADMF helps numerous families over the years. One family I referred to them received assistance with an overdue utility bill. Another is being referred for assistance with the high costs of frequent travel back and forth to the hospital. The staff at KADMF are wonderful to work with and truly caring people.
I became familiar with the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund in 1997. Peggy Dolan is Co-Founder and Executive Director (www.dolanfund.org). Founded in 1976 after the death of Peggy’s daughter, Kelly Anne, the Fund assists families caring for sick and injured children with needs not covered by insurance. In 35 years, the Fund has helped over 18,000 families inspired by the life of one little girl and her family’s story. The Fund has a four pronged mission. They provide direct financial assistance to families in crisis as a result of a child's illness or disability. They have an efficient process in place where referring healthcare professionals submit requests via an online platform and pay bills directly. They serve as an information resource to families seeking assistance, referring healthcare professionals and the general public. They provide education to students and the public about the complex circumstances of families caring for seriously ill children. And finally, Peggy is a wonderful advocate acting on behalf of families representing their special needs and interests to multiple audiences.
Review from Guidestar
I became familiar with The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, when requested to serve on Pennsylvania's State Pediatric and Palliative Care Task Force, as Co-Chair of the Patient and Family Issues, Sub-Committee. Peggy Dolan, the Dolan's Fund's Founder and Executive Director, was assigned to my Committee, and that's how we met.
I learned of the extraordinary lengths the Fund went to in order to provide advocacy, education, information and financial assistance to the uninsured needs of families caring for terminally, critically, chronically ill, seriously disabled or severely injured children throughout PA, NJ and DE. Having had a profoundly disabled sister, for whom I personally advocated during her entire life, I immediately understood and appreciated the deep level of compassion, understanding and services required to care for a loved one. The Dolan Fund, moves on a dime, helping and supporting families in crisis, over and beyond what appears humanly possible, and filling the ever- growing financial and emotional gap that families are facing each and every day.
I salute the work that The Dolan Fund, the void that it fills, their outstanding professional staff, committed army of volunteers for the difference they have made over the years, as they approach their 35th Anniversary, having served almost 20,000 families, in need.
The world needs more Peggy Dolan's, more Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Funds, helping and truly making a difference.
I am a social worker for families with children with developmental disabilities and chronic medical conditions. KADMF has helped hundreds of families I have referred with immediate assistance to pay bills (such as electric, heat, rent/mortgage, water), or acquire necessary items (like air conditioners, strollers, exterminating, furniture, clothing) Families often use up their financial resources when a child is ill or hospitalized, lose jobs and wages, and may use extra utilities due to medical technology etc. KADMF is a provides basic cash assistance to help meet needs and alleviate a bit of stress related to financial pressures.
For several years, my primary job was to call the social workers to tell them how much money their client received from the KADMF. They were thrilled the client would get money to pay the electric/gas/phone bills. Or help pay for some piece of medical equipment, membership to a YMCA or special program the chil needed. Those were all heart warming conversations. My most painful were telling the agency worker that a funeral would be paid for or that a burial plot had been secured. I miss doing this job, because I actually got to read the requests for aid and could see the positive result in the form of payment in that regard. I wish we could have given more that the usual $150 per family per year. This job ended for me when a new computer program took over the job of notifying the social workers. Our program of taking the families of these seriously ill kids on an annual trip on the Spirit of Phila is a huge success thanks to the Spirit organization for donating ALL. Our Christmas program is amazing- numerous organizations/individuals take families and afford for them a memorable holiday. I wish that we would have gotten more fininacial support from People Magazine readers after Peggy was a "Hero among us"...
Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund generously donated six large gift baskets at Thanksgiving 2010 to six families of low income including several single moms. Each basket included a gift card averaging $25.00 and all the trimmings for a complete holiday meal, tablecloth, coloring book, etc. The families were so excited and appreciative.
Provided $110.00 balance needed for a total of 610.00 for a corner sitting chair with abductor for a four year old girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Family of eight were so grateful.
Provided $150.00 for a stair glide to be repaired for 16 year girl diagnosed with Spina Bifida. Family of three were so grateful.
Provided funding winter 2010 for a space heater and blankets for a 17 year old male diagnosed with cerebral palsy, wheelchair confined, lives in basement small row home, single mom, family of five.
The KADMF is a grassroots organization that fills a very unique void in support of families with seriously ill children. The beauty of the organization is two-fold, it is not disease specific, all families with seriously ill children can be helped by the fund, and it is very nimble and can address a families needs in a very timely and responsive manner. I have observed the staff in the office as they have worked with hospital social workers to define and address the needs of families in crisis and I am always amazed by the speed and efficiency with which they are able to work. It is both a financial and advocacy resource for families who are faced with caring for their sick children while trying to keep all the balls in the air for their jobs and other obligations.
This organization has been working at their mission for almost 35 years and assisted thousands of families in that time.