The Valerie Fund Blog

 The Valerie Fund's Thanksgiving Ball Gala has been the highlight of the organization's fall/winter fundraising season and after 26 years, a change in venue set the tone for an all-out effort to dazzle guests. Close to 350 guests came to the beautiful facility, The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ and soon realized they were a part of the most memorable evening to date! Towering autumn centerpieces filled the tables in the massive ballroom. But the room couldn't contain the enthusiasm and generosity of the guests in response to the honoree speeches and interactions with our patient ambassadors.

Before the line up of speakers took to the podium Valerie Fund patient, Olivia introduced the evening's 15 ambassadors. Ranging in age from six to 19, each current or former Valerie Fund patient spoke a little bit about themselves and mingled with guests in the ballroom.

Pat Tully, the Gala's auctioneer, rallied the crowd during the evening's live auction which featured tickets to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway plus a signed guitar, and dinner for ten in the private dining room of the esteemed L'Artusi restaurant in New York City. Close to $600,000 was raised --- the second largest fundraising total in the Ball's history! 

Topics: patients, volunteers, The Grove, give back, ambassadors, nonprofit, fundraising, new jersey, events, Founders, advocate, childhood cancer, pediatric, Philantrophy, Blood Disorders, Holiday Giving

 Our blog series finishes with excerpts from the last set of 2018 Ambassador's profiles. A total of 16 ambassadors will represent The Valerie Fund at The Thanksgiving Ball Gala this Friday, November 16th. 

 

Topics: patients, ambassadors, nonprofit, fundraising, oncology, new jersey, centers, hematology, awareness, childhood cancer, pediatric, sickle cell, Non-profit, Charity, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, advocate

In preparation for the Thanksgiving Ball Gala, at The Grove in Cedar Grove, the ambassadors met there a few weeks beforehand for the "Ambassador Orientation." They spent the evening filling out questionnaires, chatting, bonding, eating pizza, and touring the beautiful facility. Many parents of the younger ambassadors also joined the orientation.

An important part of the evening is always the medal ceremony. Each ambassador is awarded a special medal for his/her service to The Valerie Fund to be worn the night of the Gala. The ambassadors also have their picture taken to be featured in the Gala's program along with their handwritten excerpts.

Topics: patients, ambassadors, nonprofit, fundraising, oncology, new jersey, centers, hematology, awareness, childhood cancer, pediatric, sickle cell, Non-profit, Charity, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, advocate

Friday, November 16, 2018 is our 27th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala. This year, the event will be held at The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ, a new location for the first time in over two decades.

A tradition that will continue is inviting current and former Valerie Fund patients to be the evening's ambassadors. Guests will have the opportunity to meet with the ambassadors both informally in the ballroom and at Learning Depots. Learning Depots allow Valerie Fund patients and caregivers to educate guests about all the services the organization has to offer.

This year's ambassadors range in age from six to 19. They come from diverse backgrounds and were diagnosed with different pediatric cancers or blood disorders. They have shared their stories on how The Valerie Fund has helped them and their families. Their responses will be featured in the Thanksgiving Ball Gala's program as well as in this series of blogs.

Topics: patients, ambassadors, nonprofit, fundraising, oncology, new jersey, centers, hematology, awareness, childhood cancer, pediatric, sickle cell, Non-profit, Charity, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, advocate

The Valerie Fund's events have been in full swing since the summer. Starting with The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run on June 9th, the organization has hosted three golf outings, a color run, a karaoke media event, and wrapped up with The Valerie Fund 5K Run & Walk, presented by World Subaru at the beginning of October.

Topics: patients, give back, volunteer, world subaru, nonprofit, community events, fundraising, new jersey, events, sponsors, walkathon, 5k, run, walk, awareness, pediatric, cancer, Charity, Blood Disorders, Pediatric Cancer, Non-profit

The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Morristown Medical Center’s Goryeb Children’s Hospital is pleased to have a Dietitian on their medical staff. A Dietitian not only helps to contribute to a patient’s overall health, but their family's as well. This falls in line with The Valerie Fund’s mission: to treat a patient medically, emotionally, socially and developmentally.

Topics: patients, oncology, awareness, side effects, education, Non-profit, nonprofit, childhood cancer, advocate, new jersey, centers, caregivers, pediatric, cancer, Blood Disorders, nutrition, dietitian

The next series of blogs will feature former Valerie Fund patients and focus on “where they are now.” Their diagnoses varied – cancer of the blood, of the brain or bones, cancer in the nervous, lymphatic or immune system, and other rare childhood cancers or blood disorders. Post treatment, their educational goals and career paths have varied as well. Each survivor truly believes their experience made them stronger and shaped them into the person they are today.

Topics: patients, survivor, oncology, awareness, scholarship, scholarship program, side effects, education, Non-profit, nonprofit, childhood cancer

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Janet Keating, who is a member of The Valerie Fund's Leadership Council, poses in honor of the Green Light Initiative.  

Topics: advocate, give back, volunteer, nonprofit, fundraising, new jersey, centers, awareness, childhood cancer, pediatric

Volunteering is a large part of the community driven-action that is so important in keeping a nonprofit organization vital. At The Valerie Fund, there are a variety of opportunities for those interested in giving back. These volunteer profiles illustrate that there are many ways to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer and blood disorders. 

Topics: volunteer, volunteers, advocate, give back, nonprofit, Non-profit, childhood cancer, pediatric, Pediatric Cancer, fundraising, new jersey, awareness, cancer, Charity

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New Website

In keeping pace with the way people interact with and donate to their favorite causes, The Valerie Fund launched a new website in November. Many hours of preparation were dedicated to making navigation easier for the new and returning donors and for accessing resources available to Valerie Fund patients and their families. The new Valerie Fund homepage promotes all the good work our organization does and includes links to download applications for Camp Happy Times and The Valerie Fund Scholarships. 

Topics: nonprofit, fundraising, new jersey, centers, awareness, scholarship, scholarship program, education, website, educational liaison, cancer, pediatric, social worker, Non-profit, Charity, Blood Disorders, Pediatric Cancer, childhood cancer