Using our body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.  Deciphering the genetic code of a tumor in order to destroy it. Identifying a single residual cancer cell to determine next steps for treatment. These are just three of the innovations discussed by The Valerie Fund Educational Seminar panelists on November 14th at Maplewood Country Club from their positions deep in the trenches of the war on cancer.

The end of the year is a time of both giving and receiving for many people. Finding just the right gift for that special someone can be a fun-filled hunt for the treasure that will light up someone's day - but how can shopping for your friends and family help a Valerie Fund kid at the same time during this holiday season? 

Well-being and wellness has been a recurring theme lately on this blog (click here to read about self-care for family caregivers and click here to read about how to reduce stress). It has never been more important to ensure your emotional well-being is taken care of but in today's world it can seem to be more difficult than ever to do just that. Today we are going to take a look at another aspect of emotional wellness.

We celebrate many things in November each year and none are more important or powerful than our own families. No matter who you consider family or what yours may look like, your family is the backbone of your life and the people most likely to be there for you when you need it most. 

November is also National Family Caregiver Month and it is our absolute honor to spend a few minutes discussing the importance of family caregivers when it comes to our heroes of The Valerie Fund. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 13th for the Monmouth Medical Center Valerie Fund 5K Run & Walk!

Friends, families, and supporters of The Valerie Fund Center at Monmouth Medical Center's Unterberg Children's Hospital came together to show how impactful a group of people can be. Please enjoy a small collection of some of our favorite moments from the day and you can see all of the photos from the day below. 

Unfortunately, stress is something everyone can understand. We all have stress in our lives and most likely we would all say we have too much of it. Left unchecked, stress can begin to affect both your mental and physical well-being. October has been designated as National Emotional Wellness Month and this week's blog provides some helpful ways to learn how to slow down and breathe.

While emotional wellness is important for everyone, it is critical for parents and families of children treated by The Valerie Fund. A pediatric cancer or blood disorder diagnosis presents new levels of stress for parents and families and it is imperative that everyone be as healthy as possible - physically and mentally - throughout this process. 

As autumn is upon us and the days start to cool off, we wanted to enjoy one last bit of summer fun by taking a look back at the the week in August of 2019 when more than 150 campers spent a magical week at Camp Happy Times. Join us for some of our favorite memories from this year's Camp!