The Valerie Fund Blog

All kids deserve to be the special person of the day on their birthday and when a Valerie Fund kid celebrates a birthday it is a milestone that is never taken for granted. 

One of the positives to come out of 2020 (yes, there were actually some good things this year!) is that many people realized how their every day actions can help the people around them. Small things you do can have a large impact on your community and help those around you. Let's take a look at some of the ways that doing what you would normally do anyway in the next few weeks can help the kids of The Valerie Fund!

By now you've probably heard that The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG-ONE Physical Therapy 5K has gone virtual for 2020. Going from in-person at Verona Park to virtual requires a lot of changes for many people but what does it mean when it comes to fundraising? Let's take a look at what a virtual event means for fundraising especially in 2020!

When the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) launched a special fundraising initiative in 2014 to support children from our area being treated at The Valerie Fund Children's Centers, they might have predicted it would turn into one of their biggest industry-wide charitable efforts ever, raising over $2 million. After all, the franchised car and truck retailers they serve have long been champions of philanthropy and The Valerie Fund’s mission to support children with cancer and blood disorders resonated with so many. More than 200 dealerships throughout the state embraced the campaign over the years. In the showrooms, salespeople were kind enough to share their enthusiasm with customers who were made aware of the dealerships’ donations following their test drives and vehicle purchases. Some manufacturers also matched those contributions.  

Giving Tuesday is a world-renowned day of giving back every year - a way to stop for just a moment and remember those who need help. Normally, Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving but in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, May 5 has been designated Giving TuesdayNOW to help those who need it most during this difficult time. 

The men and women of The Valerie Fund help raise the money that support the seven Children's Centers in hospitals across New Jersey, New York City, and metro Philadelphia. Our staff is responsible for working with donors and partners at all levels to fund the services of The Valerie Fund. Get better acquainted with some of the people you may already know and meet some of the new faces behind The Valerie Fund. 

The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG-ONE Physical Therapy 5K on June 13^th will be a powerful day for The Valerie Fund community. Patients, families, and friends from all over the area will come together in Essex County's Verona Park in Verona, NJ for a day of running, walking, eating, and sharing stories honoring the heroes, the brave children of The Valerie Fund. But did you know there is a very special group of people at the Walk who go above and beyond all year to ensure that we raise the most money possible for our Valerie Fund kids?

Learn what makes our Team Captains such a vital part of the Walk and how this year, The Valerie Fund will be giving them something special to recognize their efforts. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 13th for the Monmouth Medical Center Valerie Fund 5K Run & Walk!

Friends, families, and supporters of The Valerie Fund Center at Monmouth Medical Center's Unterberg Children's Hospital came together to show how impactful a group of people can be. Please enjoy a small collection of some of our favorite moments from the day and you can see all of the photos from the day below. 

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and The Valerie Fund is proud to work with local community partners to help in this battle. Several local businesses have joined us to support children and families currently living with pediatric cancer. Take a look and see if your favorite hotspot is on the list!

Community events are an integral part of The Valerie Fund's ability to support families dealing with pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Support from friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors not only result in increased fundraising but also in an outpouring of personal and emotional support. Keep reading to learn about some of our upcoming community events!