NJ CAR is once again partnering with The Valerie Fund for The Road Ahead campaign to raise $300,000 in support of more than 6,500 children battling cancer and blood disorders. This initiative directly benefits families across New Jersey by funding personalized medical, emotional, and psychosocial care provided by The Valerie Fund’s eight hospital-based children’s centers and one program. These centers go beyond treatment — they help children, and their families, navigate the most difficult journeys of their lives with compassion and expert care, all close to home.
The Valerie Fund and NJ CAR members began their collaboration in 2014. Since then, New Jersey auto dealers have raised over $3.5 million to help support the comprehensive care provided to the 6,500 children treated each year at The Valerie Fund Children’s Centers.
“New Jersey’s 520+ franchised new car and truck dealerships consistently give back to the communities they serve and stand behind worthwhile causes like The Valerie Fund: an organization that supports children with cancer and blood disorders and their families during a very difficult time,” said Laura Perrotta, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). “I am proud to see that our dealer members have stepped up once again to support The Valerie Fund, and, as business leaders in their communities, collectively New Jersey dealers contribute nearly $26 million to hundreds of charitable organizations each year. Just think of the impact the dealers make in so many lives throughout the State.”
The 2025 campaign launched in August and focuses on The Road Ahead for our Valerie Fund kids. With new treatment options, children spend more time receiving care that will move them toward a cure. These treatment options also mean children will need more Valerie Fund resources, including in-clinic support and survivorship programs.
“For the hundreds of children with Sickle Cell Disease that are treated at Valerie Fund Children’s Centers, it is especially important for us as dealerships to offer our support,” said Judy Schumacher-Tilton, owner of the Schumacher Chevrolet Auto Group. “Knowing this is an incurable disease that greatly affects underserved populations, it warms my heart to see dealerships — across all brands in New Jersey — come together to contribute and support the incredible work that The Valerie Fund does for these children and their families.”
On behalf of The Valerie Fund, Bunny Flanders, Director of Marketing and Communications, expressed, “We are grateful to New Jersey’s car and truck dealerships for supporting The Valerie Fund’s The Road Ahead campaign. Their commitment ensures children with cancer and blood disorders, and their families, receive the comprehensive care they need.”
Bergen County auto retailers are asked to support The Road Ahead as The Valerie Fund expands into this county with The Valerie Fund’s new dedicated Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care program at Hackensack University Hospital. Southern New Jersey auto retailers are asked to support our Valerie Fund Children’s Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Voorhees, NJ to fund a full complement of services, including child life; educational liaison; and social work.
The Valerie Fund is deeply grateful to all participating dealerships for their generosity. Your support ensures we can continue providing vital care and compassionate services to children with cancer and blood disorders and their families.
Please join The Valerie Fund in thanking the participating dealerships. You can find the list of participating dealerships at https://thevaleriefund.org/specials/NJAutoDealerUnite/sponsors.php
For more information about the New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite campaign, The Valerie Fund, or the services provided at The Valerie Fund Children’s Centers, please contact Bunny Flanders, Director of Events and Communications at bflanders@thevaleriefund.org or Leah Del Piano, Event Fundraising Manager at ldelpiano@thevaleriefund.org.
