Join us as we meet the second group of ambassadors who showcase what it means to be a Valerie Fund kid.
Anne, 13 years old
Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with an IAMP 21 marker at 11 years of age
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
"I remember sitting in our cabin at Camp Happy Times and sharing everyone’s names. We all started laughing and talking about random things. Now, those are some of my best friends.
The Valerie Fund gives my family support and help when we need it. They also make me feel better by giving me things to do in the hospital. Lastly, they give me meal tickets for the hospital cafeteria when I am hungry.
I am still in treatment, but when not at The Valerie Fund Center, I am dancing, at school, doing sports, or spending time with my family."
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at 16 years of age
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2022, Ava credits her treatment team at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital. “They brought out the best part of me. They made me realize the kind of person that I am, and they showed me the kind of person that I strive to be every day. I can honestly say that this journey would’ve been a whole lot harder and a lot less fun if not for my team at the Valerie Center.”
Avery, 6 years old
Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemiaat4yearsold
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
The Valerie Fund provided my daughter with a safe, clean, and comfortable environment to receive inpatient and outpatient treatment. They also provided us with the best nurses, doctors, and child life staff to help make our time comfortable. Every staff member we encountered went above and beyond to help our angel get through this extremely difficult time.
Avery Joy is in remission and loves life. She is in 1st grade and enjoys playing outside, musicals with her family, coloring, her iPad, and the couch, Disney movies, and princesses. She is one happy kid and brings joy to everyone she meets.
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at 14 years of age
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children's Hospital
"The Valerie Fund Children’s Center staff is very welcoming and always makes us laugh. I have a very close relationship with Kristen. A vivid memory I have with her is when she would knock on my door and beg me to play Bingo. It would make me really happy, even when I was drained.
When I’m not in treatment, I like to hang out with my friends and try new foods."
Gianna, 13 years old
Diagnosed with T-Cell ALL Leukemia at 9 years of age
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children's Hospital
"I dressed in Halloween costumes every month, and also for my last five treatments. The Valerie Fund helped in so many ways. It was a loving community with all the staff. Seeing everyone always made my treatments a little more tolerable.
I’m out of treatment and doing very well now. I’m in 8th grade and play lacrosse, field hockey, and volleyball. I also joined some clubs and have been doing community service."
Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at 1 week old
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
"Each doctor at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center cares for me and ensures I’m comfortable and okay. They help me and my family any time I visit the center for a checkup or admission, making sure I am not in pain or sad. I enjoy the holiday parting and have the best time.
I enjoy riding my bike and scooter with my sister and brother when I'm not at The Valerie Fund Children's Center. I also love doing arts and crafts."
Jillian, 19 years old
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 13 years of age
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
"One of my best Valerie Fun Children’s Center memories is doing the Beads of Hope with Ann. It gave me something to look forward to for each TVF visit and helped distract me from the not-so-fun parts of treatment. The Valerie Fund has helped my family in numerous ways throughout the last six years, both during and after my treatment. The social workers, especially Ann, check in with me and my family periodically.
I am attending Stevens Institute of Technology as a chemistry major with the support of The Valerie Fund’s Steffa Family Scholarship, which helps pay for college. I am so grateful for their support. I do all I can for The Valerie Fund by fundraising for the Walk annually."
Mac,1 year old
Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at 10 months old
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
The staff were kind and caring for Mac every day. The Valerie Fund Children’s Center’s team of doctors, nurses, and every member who helped save our son’s life made such a swift impact on our family. We knew immediately that we were in the right hands. The Valerie Fund has been an incredible help to our family. During his treatment, he found constant entertainment with his toys and gifts. We were also constantly assisted with our finances–from groceries to our larger monthly payments–which greatly relieved us all.
Today, Mac lives the life of your average one-year-old who has conquered AML. Activities and madness ensue at the house as Mac and his sister light up the room with joy, turn page after page in their books, and sing the literal and figurative soundtrack to our lives. We know Mac is lucky, but we all know we’re luckier. Our biggest thanks to Ann and Brianne and the entire team at the Valerie Center for giving us our family back!
Marko, 18 years old
Diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma at 17 years of age
Age at Diagnosis: 17
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
"One of my favorite memories at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center is when a then-random nurse, who I now know and love as Ann-Marie, showed up in my room with a massive bag of Swedish Fish and just kept me company. Every time I go to the Center, no matter how sick I’m feeling, I always smile. Everyone feels like family, and I thank God I have met amazing people like them.
I am currently attending Farleigh Dickinson University, majoring in biochemistry. I want to go to medical school and become a doctor. I also love going into the studio and recording music every day."
Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at birth
The Valerie Children's Center at Newark Beth Israel
Myla receives treatment at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center every three months. The Valerie Fund has helped our family a lot. The center staff is very responsive and always helps with emergencies.
Myla enjoys making TikTok videos, playing games, participating in fashion shows, and modeling.
Pilar, 10 years old
Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at 3 months old
The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital
The people at the Valerie Center are amazing. Everyone is so caring; they take time to get to know my daughter and the rest of the family. Pilar is so comfortable going there for her routine checkups and always leaves with a smile. She feels she is going to visit family who care about her health and well-being and not a hospital.
In the Dominican Republic, Pilar was frequently hospitalized with pain crises. The doctors there told us she was never going to be able to swim, ride a bike, or tolerate cold weather, so we made the difficult decision to move to the US. We found the Valerie Center, and our lives were transformed. The doctor immediately adjusted the medicines to the correct dosage and assured us that with the proper treatment and care, Pilar would have a normal life, and she does. She loves swimming, riding her bike, and doing everything an ordinary 10-year-old girl does. Pilar is on the cheerleading squad and loving it. Since being here and treated at the Valerie Center, she has not had any episodes with her condition. We will always be thankful to the Valerie Center for giving us the best gift, our daughter's health!
My daughter has so many dreams, like going to college, traveling, and enjoying life in general, and with the support of the Valerie Fund Center, I can now say that she will make those dreams come true. Pilar (and the whole family) appreciates what the Valerie Center has done for her, and she wants to give back somehow and help other kids with the condition have the same opportunities she has had.