--- title: Life, Interrupted – Annie’s Story Part 1 description: The Valerie Fund Patient Story - Support through pediatric cancer treatment. Giving back as Team Captain for TVF Walk. image: https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/fight-club.jpg --- [![The Valerie Fund](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/img-logo.png?width=138&height=230&name=img-logo.png "The Valerie Fund")](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/) - [About Us](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/) - [**About Us**](http://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/) - [Mission](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/) - [History](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/our-history/) - [Impact](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/impact/) - [Leadership](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/board/) - [Junior Board](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/our-sponsors/) - [Our Sponsors](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/financials/) - [Financials](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/financials/) - [News](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/news/) - [Blogs](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/) - [Videos](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/videos/) - [Online Newsletters](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/newsletters/) - [Contact Us](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/contacts/) - [What We Do](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/) - [**What We Do**](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/) - [Our Centers](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/our-centers/) - [Our Programs](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/programs-services/) - [Beyond Our Centers](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/beyond-our-centers/) - [Camp Happy Times](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/camp-happy-times/) - [TVF Scholarship](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/tvf-scholarship/) - [Staff Stories](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/staff-stories/) - [Meet Our Valerie Fund Kids](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/meet-our-kids/) - [You Can Help](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/) - [**You Can Help**](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/) - [Donate](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/donations/hope-and-healing.php) - [Volunteer](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/volunteer/) - [Green Light Initiative](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/green-light-initiative/) - [Events and Campaigns](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/) - [Kids Helping Kids](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/kids-helping-kids/) - [In Lieu of Presents](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/in-lieu-of-presents/) - [Gift Shop](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/store/) - [Events & Campaigns](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/) - [**All Events & Campaigns**](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/) - [Signature Events](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/signature-events/) - [Community Events](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/community-events/) - [Campaigns](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/campaigns/) - [Past Events](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/past-events/) - [Get Inspired](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/events-campaigns/get-inspired/) - [For Patients & Families](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/for-patients-and-families/) - [**For Patients and Families**](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/for-patients-and-families/) - [Our Centers](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/our-centers/) - [Our Programs](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/programs-services/) - [Beyond Our Centers](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/beyond-our-centers/) - [Camp Happy Times](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/camp-happy-times/) - [TVF Scholarship](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/tvf-scholarship/) - [Other Scholarships](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/tvf-scholarship/other-scholarships/) - [Flashes of Hope](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/for-patients-and-families/flashes-of-hope/) - [Mom2Mom Hotline](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/for-patients-and-families/mom2mom/) - [News](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/news/) - [Contact](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/contacts/) - [Volunteer](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/volunteer/) ### When Valerie Goldstein lost her battle to cancer at the age of 9, her parents Ed and Sue vowed to help families in similar situations gain easier access to more customized care. 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[About What We Do](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/what-we-do/) ![](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.00.58%20AM.png) ![Screen Shot 2017-09-05 at 11.00.58 AM.png](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.00.58%20AM.png?width=371&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.00.58%20AM.png "Screen Shot 2017-09-05 at 11.00.58 AM.png") ### Your participation, time or financial gift ensures that children get everything they need to receive the most effective treatment. [Ways to Help](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/youcanhelp/) ![](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.02.22%20AM.png) ![Screen Shot 2017-09-05 at 11.02.22 AM.png](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.02.22%20AM.png?width=370&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-09-05%20at%2011.02.22%20AM.png "Screen Shot 2017-09-05 at 11.02.22 AM.png") ### Our Annual Walk Event Donate or Join a Team [Visit the Walk](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/walk) ### Our unique blend of medical care and emotional counseling gives patients and their families the supportive environment they need during treatment and beyond. [Learn More](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/for-patients-and-families/) ### Our Centers - [Children's Hospital of Phila/Voorhees](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/childrens-hospital-philavoorhees) - [Columbia University Medical Center](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/columbia-university-medical-center) - [Monmouth Medical Center](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/monmouth-medical-center) - [Morristown Medical Center](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/morristown-medical-center) - [Newark Beth Israel Medical Center](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/newark-beth-israel-medical-center) - [Overlook Medical Center](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/overlook-medical-center) - [St. Joseph's Children Hospital](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/st.-josephs-children-hospital) ## Supporting children with cancer and blood disorders since 1976 [![Donate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1822020/f5fd0642-8c84-439d-b936-77fbecbe7166.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1822020/f5fd0642-8c84-439d-b936-77fbecbe7166) # The Valerie Fund Blog   # Life, Interrupted – Annie’s Story Part 1 Posted by [The Valerie Fund](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/author/the-valerie-fund) on 2/21/23 2:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![fight-club](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/fight-club.jpg?width=250&height=231&name=fight-club.jpg)Fall of 2012, I was a typical 21-year-old college student in Burlington, Vermont. I lived on my own, worked hard at school and managed a busy life, out with friends or at concerts when not in the classroom or at work. As such, being a bit more rundown and exhausted than usual did not strike me as anything to worry about. As Christmas break drew near, I wasn’t just tired but in pain. My stomach stopped cooperating. Every time I took a step, my stomach would hurt so bad I would stop moving. I had a large lump under my chin on one side, but not the other. I also found myself sweating even with the windows open at night in my apartment in Vermont.   ![porch-pic](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/porch-pic.jpg?width=250&height=259&name=porch-pic.jpg)I came back down to New Jersey, and almost immediately began to see doctors to get myself checked out. As time went on, I began to feel worse and worse and wanted nothing but to lay down all the time. Eventually, I found myself in Chilton on Christmas Eve in excruciating pain, with wild stomach and intestinal issues and no idea why. My mother and I spent a few hours there and were sent home with our first of three incorrect diagnoses.   ![banana-strong](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/banana-strong.jpg?width=325&height=324&name=banana-strong.jpg)After a few more hospital trips, a few appointments with specialists and a lot of naps and family time, I found myself once again in the ER. This time we journeyed to Morristown Memorial Hospital. I had a wide variety of tests done, spent a few days on pain medication and awaited some sort of answer. At this point, no one was concerned with what the diagnosis would be as much as finding a resolution. So, when I finally heard the words no one really wants to hear, that *I had cancer*, I have to say I was in a way relieved. I could hopefully meet with the correct doctors now, and find out what I needed to do to stay alive.   *Coming Soon - more about Annie's Journey with The Valerie Fund * Topics: [Pediatric Cancer](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/pediatric-cancer), [walk](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/walk), [patients](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/patients), [team captains](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/team-captains) ## The Power of Giving ### Learn more about the ways you can help.  ### Join in the fight against childhood cancer and blood disorders: donate, participate in an event, or volunteer your time. Our philosophy is that to truly heal the children whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.   ### Subscribe to Blog Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Blood Disorders (47)](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/blood-disorders) - [fundraising (45)](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/fundraising) - 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[why we give (1)](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/why-we-give) see all The Valerie Fund 2101 Millburn Avenue Maplewood, NJ 07040 973-761-0422 :: Phone 973-761-6792 :: Fax ### Follow Us:   #### [Contact Us](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/contacts/) ### Join Our Mailing List: #### [Donor Privacy](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/financials/) ![](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/charityNavigatorLogo.jpg) ©2026 The Valerie Fund. All Rights Reserved. | We are a 501(c)(3) charity ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The Valerie Fund", "url" : "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/author/the-valerie-fund" }, "dateModified" : "2023-03-06T20:05:30.040Z", "datePublished" : "2023-02-21T19:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Life, Interrupted – Annie’s Story Part 1", "image" : [ "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/fight-club.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/life-interrupted-annies-story-part-1", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/Valerie%20Fund%20Logo_HEX%20and%20RGB-2.png" }, "name" : "The Valerie Fund" } } ```