The Valerie Fund Blog

There are so many new words and phrases that a family must learn when they begin a journey through pediatric cancer or blood disorders and it can be difficult to keep track of what they all mean. In the coming months we will try to explain what some of these concepts and practices are and hope it can help make this process just a little bit easier. 

We are starting with a discipline that encompasses many tools and practices under one umbrella. Continue reading to learn why integrative medicine can make a difference when battling pediatric cancer or blood disorders. 

Topics: integrative medicine, Blood Disorders, cancer, caregivers, hematology, oncology, centers, science, patients, Center Staff

The men and women who work in The Valerie Fund Children's Centers across New Jersey and New York are the backbone of our mission to support comprehensive healthcare services for children with cancer and blood disorders. We wanted to share just how amazing they are so we invite you to learn a little bit more about them.

Topics: caregivers, hematology, centers, Center Staff

Summer should be about fun and having a good time for kids. They get a break from their routine and schoolwork and can finally relax - enjoy being a kid! However, for those kids battling sickle cell disease, summer brings with it certain risks. We want to share some tips on how to maximize your child's summer enjoyment without risking their health, a possible pain episode, or injury. 

Topics: moms, sickle cell, caregivers, hematology, patients, nutrition

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

The 26^th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala was an entertaining and elegant evening. The ballroom dazzled with white roses and a soft golden glow. The evening’s honoree, Dr. Steven Halpern, delivered a moving speech that captivated the entire room. The event which featured a live and silent auction, raised almost $450,000 to date. The most inspiring part of the evening was when the ambassadors shared their experiences and educated guests about how The Valerie Fund has cared for and supported them and their families. Below are the final five profiles of the ambassadors who attended this year’s gala.  

Topics: Non-profit, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, pediatric, childhood cancer, caregivers, events, new jersey, nonprofit, ambassadors, The Hilton Short Hills

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Our blog series continues with excerpts from the 2017 Ambassador's profiles that will be in attendance at The Thanksgiving Ball Gala this Friday, November 17th. 

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Gavin, age 7

Topics: Non-profit, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, pediatric, camp happy times, childhood cancer, caregivers, events, new jersey, nonprofit, ambassadors

The 26^th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala will be held on Friday, November 17^th, 2017 at the Hilton Short Hills. A special part of the night is the opportunity for guests to meet with current and former Valerie Fund patients both informally and at designated Learning Depots. Along with a caregiver from The Valerie Fund, our ambassadors will educate guests about all the services the organization has to offer. The interaction often turns personal as ambassadors share how a particular service was meaningful in their own journey of battling a life-threatening disease.

Topics: Non-profit, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, pediatric, childhood cancer, caregivers, events, new jersey, nonprofit, ambassadors

For the first time in seventeen years, a new Valerie Fund Children's Center has opened at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson, NJ. The Passaic County-based outpatient facility neighbors the northern New Jersey counties of Morris and Essex where several other Valerie Fund Centers are located. 

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital was established in 1996, and treats a diverse population of patients. Much like the population treated at The Valerie Fund's Newark Beth Israel Center, English is not the primary language of patients and their families. At St. Joseph's Center, 60% are Spanish speaking and 10% speak Arabic. 

The Valerie Fund immediately enhanced the existing core services at St. Joseph's, their social work and child life programs and hired a psychologist, educational liaison and financial specialist. This team is led by Dr. Jill Menell, Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Bill Copeck, Nurse Manager.  

Topics: child life, social worker, educational liaison, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, pediatric, cancer, sickle cell, caregivers, awareness, oncology, centers, new jersey, nonprofit

New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is renowned for its pediatric healthcare services, and is currently home to the only Valerie Fund Children's Center outside the state of New Jersey. According to U.S. News & World Report, New York-Presbyterian consistently makes the magazine's Honor Roll as one of the best hosptials in the nation. The hospital's pediatric hematology-oncology department is led by Dr. Julia Glade-Bender alongside a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, educational liaisons, child life specialists and social workers. Dr. Marie Barnett recently joined The Valerie Fund family as the Center's psychologist. 

Topics: child life, social worker, Blood Disorders, pediatric, cancer, childhood cancer, sickle cell, caregivers, awareness, oncology, centers, new jersey, nonprofit

In 1977, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, was the first hospital to support Sue and Ed Goldstein in their mission to provide comprehensive health care to children in our area with pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Forty years later, their dream has come to fruition with the expansion of seven Valerie Fund Children's Centers.

In their book, "Where They Are Now: The voices that cancer & blood disorders couldn't silence," Sue and Ed reflect, "The Valerie Fund Children's Centers- in New Jersey, New York City and the Philadelphia area- evolved into what we had hoped for: institutions delivering expert medical expertise, unconditional support and loving kindness for the children under their care."

Topics: child life, social worker, Blood Disorders, pediatric, cancer, childhood cancer, sickle cell, caregivers, awareness, oncology, centers, new jersey, nonprofit