Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley Inc

Results: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley is a small but mighty nonprofit that truly makes a difference in the lives of local pediatric cancer families. With over 400 local families counting on this hyper-local foundation for financial, social and emotional support, the team at PCFLV stresses how crucial a role the community plays in making this possible. While we recognize that there are other, more national organizations out there that many people know and donate to, we also hope that our local community chooses to ‘give where they live’ and to support PCFLV .

Target demographics: Pediatric cancer families

Geographic areas served: The Lehigh Valley, PA

Programs: We host events and activities to create free-of-charge opportunities for families to have fun and to find nurturing support within the pediatric cancer community. We have regular, ongoing programming like our Kid Konnect program, Moms’ Nights Out, Dads’ Nights Out, Tickets for families to attend local events as well as much-loved annual events like our week-long Camp Smile, Back to School Bash in August and our Holiday party in December.  PCFLV makes monthly visits to the outpatient clinic and inpatient pediatric floor at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital through our Caregiver Coffee and Chemo Circus programs, armed with toys, crafts, and food to distract children during their treatment and offer support to the caregivers while creating happiness and smiles. We are also always available to make personalized visits to children during inpatient stays, as well as home visits. We provide individual and specialized assistance based on the needs of our families as well, often in the form of grocery and gas gift cards to help defray the often-unrecognized costs of dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. In addition, we offer housecleaning services to newly diagnosed families to ensure their immune-compromised children are coming home to a safe and sanitary environment. And our high school graduates are offered a one-time $5,000 scholarship and our bereaved siblings are offered a $3,000 scholarship to defray the costs of higher education. A full list of our programs and services can be found on our website (www.pcflv.org).