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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The Valerie Fund supports comprehensive health care services focusing on psychosocial programs for children with cancer and blood disorders close to home.


About What We Do
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Your participation, time or financial gift ensures that children get everything they need to receive the most effective treatment.


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Our unique blend of medical care and emotional counseling gives patients and their families the supportive environment they need during treatment and beyond.


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Supporting children with cancer and blood disorders since 1976

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The Valerie Fund Blog

Life, Interrupted – Annie’s Story Part 1

Posted by The Valerie Fund on 2/21/23 2:00 PM

fight-clubFall 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-picI 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-strongAfter 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, walk, patients, 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.

 

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