The Valerie Fund Blog

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

---

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

Topics: Non-profit, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, childhood cancer, centers, events, community events, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, science, art

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

---

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. 

---

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