Valerie Fund

Causes: Birth Defects & Genetic Diseases, Cancer, Health

Mission: To raise funds to support comprehensive health care for children withcancer and blood disorders.

Programs: The valerie fund supports psychosocial programs including the child life activities and social work programs at seven hospital-based valerie fund centers in new york & new jersey. Children and their families visited the centers nearly 25,000 times in 2014, all to be treated for cancer and other blood disorders. The valerie fund also hosts holiday parties at its centers during the year. Holiday functions hosted by tvf during 2014 served approximately 2,500 patients and their families.

the valerie fund operates camp happy times, a free one-week camp for children with cancer. Camp happy times serves approximately 200 children and teenage patient leaders-in-training. Additionally, the valerie fund provides transportation and funding for 50-75 children with cancer and blood disorders to attend other camp programs designed for their needs throughout the northeast.

the valerie fund engages in year round advocacy and support for the children treated with cancer and blood disorders. Beyond psychosocial care provided for year round, each december children treated at each of the centers are invited to enjoy festive holiday parties with their parents and siblings. These parties bring together as many as 500 at a time for joyous holiday celebrations where patients can enjoy their caregivers in an entirely different setting. The fund has created a scholarship program to promote the continued education and advancement of children treated at the centers. It provides funding for the pysho-social staff to attend national conferences to enhance the psychological and emotional care of the children under treatment as well as to act year round in support of these same pediatric patients.