The Valerie Fund Blog

The staff of The Valerie Fund help raise the money that support the seven Children's Centers in hospitals across New Jersey, New York City, and metro Philadelphia. Our staff is responsible for working with donors and partners at all levels to fund the services of The Valerie Fund. Get better acquainted with some of the people you may already know and meet some of the new faces behind The Valerie Fund.

When kids are going through treatment at a Valerie Fund Children's Center, they have the strength and tenacity to never give up. How could we do any less for them? We had to postpone The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG-ONE Physical Therapy 5K in Verona Park to October 3rd due to COVID-19 but we're not letting that get us down. On June 13th, the original date of the Walk & 5K, we are now hosting a brand new event - The Valerie Fund Virtual Walk & Run!

Many people are dealing with the isolation and disconnect from friends and family during the COVID-19 global pandemic and our Valerie Fund kids are no different. These challenging times may, in fact, amplify the anxiety that patients currently receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders and their families are feeling. Fortunately, one high school student from South Orange, sister of a childhood cancer survivor decided to help bring some joy into patients’ lives when they could use it most.  

Giving Tuesday is a world-renowned day of giving back every year - a way to stop for just a moment and remember those who need help. Normally, Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving but in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, May 5 has been designated Giving TuesdayNOW to help those who need it most during this difficult time. 

When we put a call out to Valerie Fund families to see how some of our kids are weathering this time of COVID-19 isolation, we didn't expect so many responses! Check out what even more of our kids and families are doing to pass the time at home and get inspired for your own family.

Many people use music to get through a bad time or to give them the power to fight back. Some people use music to put them in a good mood or to translate what they're feeling. Music Mondays is a recurring series featuring a playlist curated by a Valerie Fund kid, who in their own words, share what these songs mean to them.

Put on your headphones and join us for this month's Valerie Fund Music Mondays as we look at Bella's playlist, "Bella's Beats."

We are all at home during this COVID-19 self-isolation and social distancing, right? Valerie Fund families often know what it's like to quarantine during treatment so they get creative when the days start getting a bit long and you feel you've watched everything there is on Netflix. We put a call out to see how some of our kids and families are weathering this storm and got some incredible examples of ingenuity. 

Many people use music to get through a bad time or to give them the power to fight back. Some people use music to put them in a good mood or to translate what they're feeling. The staff of The Valerie Fund are no different so join us for some of our favorite music that we're using during this COVID-19 social distancing. 

To say that The Valerie Fund's Executive Director, Barry Kirschner, is into music would be quite the understatement. Barry is a lifelong aficionado of many genres of music but has a special affinity for Classic Rock and Blues. During this COVID-19 social distancing time, Barry has gone through his extensive CD and vinyl collection to pick out some of his all-time favorite songs and performances. And kids, if you don't know what "vinyl" means, ask your parents. 

Susan Yarad is a Valerie Fund mom who knows about handling stress and anxiety. She tells the story of her family's own battle with cancer and how the lessons learned might be the key to keeping steady during the COVID-19 pandemic.