--- title: Sylvie Stays Strong description: Former TVF patient Sylvie never let her cancer diagnosis stop her. In fact, she took her experiences during treatment and used them to make herself even stronger and more willing to face her fears. Join us as we hear from Sylvia about her time in a Valerie Fund Children's Center and what she learned from joining the TVF family.  image: https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/BLOG%20FB%20Image%20Sylvie%20Strong.png --- [![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. [All About the Fund](https://www.thevaleriefund.org/about/) ![](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/valerie.png) ![valerie.png](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TheValerieFund_November2017/Images/valerie.png?width=368&name=valerie.png "valerie.png") ### 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](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   # Sylvie Stays Strong Posted by [The Valerie Fund](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/author/the-valerie-fund) on 6/30/20 12:29 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Sylvie Yarad 1](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Sylvie%20Yarad%201.jpg?width=300&name=Sylvie%20Yarad%201.jpg) Former TVF patient Sylvie never let her cancer diagnosis stop her. In fact, she took her experiences during treatment and used them to make herself even stronger and more willing to face her fears. Join us as we hear from Sylvie about her time in a Valerie Fund Children's Center and what she learned from joining the TVF family.  Hi, I'm Sylvie. I had never had a taste for public speaking until I stood in front of a crowd of doctors, nurses, donors, and families at the A Taste of Giving, the Thanksgiving Ball, and The Valerie Fund Walk during my freshman year of high school. These were the three events that allowed me to use my voice to share my story with people who cared for me, and to heal from the experiences. I was 13, just days out from being 14 when I was diagnosed with stage IVb Hodgkin's Lymphoma at Morristown Medical Center after months of misdiagnoses and inexplicable illnesses. A CAT scan confirmed a cancerous tumor in the center of my chest and tests revealed that it had spread all over my body. Even with a promising prognosis, the future still seemed bleak and unsure when I entered chemo just days after I had been attending school normally. My life changed faster than I ever thought it would, and that sudden change and the feelings of isolation and misunderstanding that came with it were harder to navigate than the disease itself. ![img_0415-jpeg](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/img_0415-jpeg.jpg?width=300&name=img_0415-jpeg.jpg)However, the Valerie Fund was there to relieve those feelings when I needed the relief most. Going into the center made me feel safe, decreased my anxiety, and gave me a haven of protection. The nurses were so kind and understanding, they quickly became like a second family. I became so attached to them and the feeling of understanding the center was able to create that when my treatment came to a close, it was hard to leave them and what had become my “new normal.” Yet even after I was declared in remission, when I had joined the field hockey team, and started my freshman year, the Valerie Fund made sure that I still had a home with them. They invited me to speak at several events, to share my story and meet kids who had gone through what I had gone through. It gave me a sense of belonging in a world that felt like it had forgotten everything I had been through. The Valerie Fund has been and always will be, family to me. ![sylvie strong](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sylvie%20strong.jpg?width=400&name=sylvie%20strong.jpg)The Walk was also a wonderful experience given to me by The Valerie Fund, and I was the guest speaker my freshman year, also my first year forming my team [Sylvie Strong](https://thevaleriefund.org/Walk2020/team.php?team=2120). It was really incredible to be able to see so many people come together, and so many of my friends come to support me and walk with me. It allowed me to share my experience with the people who were most important to me and gave me a sense of belonging among a larger Valerie Fund family.  You can [click here to visit the Sylvie Strong team page](https://thevaleriefund.org/Walk2020/team.php?team=2120) if you'd like to support us and The Valerie Fund! --- ![BLOG FB Image Walk BC#](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593000115817.png?width=300&name=unknown-1593000115817.png) [Register today](https://thevaleriefund.org/Walk2020/registration-start.php) for the **2020 Valerie Fund Walk & JAG-ONE Physical Therapy 5K** being held on October 3rd in Verona Park. [Click here for more information or to register today!](https://thevaleriefund.org/Walk2020/registration-start.php) --- During this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Valerie Fund remains dedicated to the children battling cancer and blood disorders. We are in this together and continue to treat every child who needs our help. [If you would like to help, you can click here to donate.](https://thevaleriefund.org/donations/hope-and-healing.php) [![TVF Together](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593000115817-1.png?width=400&name=unknown-1593000115817-1.png)](https://thevaleriefund.org/donations/hope-and-healing.php) We are in this together. #BecauseofValerie ![Blog Footer-1](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593000115818.png?width=1600&name=unknown-1593000115818.png) Topics: [walk](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/walk), [patients](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/patients), [2020](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/2020), [#BecauseofValerie](https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/topic/becauseofvalerie) ## 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 - 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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" : "2020-06-30T17:46:57.849Z", "datePublished" : "2020-06-30T16:29:24.000Z", "headline" : "Sylvie Stays Strong", "image" : [ "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/hubfs/BLOG%20FB%20Image%20Sylvie%20Strong.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.thevaleriefund.org/sylvie-stays-strong", "@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" } } ```