The Valerie Fund Blog

Our 5K and Walk in Long Branch is coming up on October 13th and we could not be more excited! Supporting The Valerie Fund Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, we are supported by the amazing people at World Subaru for this inspiring seaside event.

Topics: 5k, walk, fundraising, nonprofit, raffle, world subaru, subaru

On July 1st, the Matthew P. Klein Golf Event was held at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ. This amazing event celebrates the life of Matthew Klein with a day of golfing, dinner, and a silent auction all to help children with cancer and blood disorders. This was the third year of the event and so far they have raised over $100,000 for The Valerie Fund. 

Topics: Philantrophy, Non-profit, Charity, community events, fundraising

Thank you to everyone who came out on June 8th for the 2019 Valerie Fund Walk & JAG-ONE Physical Therapy 5K! We had a truly remarkable day in Verona Park filled with fun, fundraising, and a deep sense of community. Please enjoy a small collection of some of our favorite moments from the day and you can see the full collection of photos from the day below. 

Topics: 5k, verona, walk, walkathon, events, fundraising

Why The Valerie Fund loved hosting Grace’s House!

The integrity of a house rests on its foundation. The foundation of Grace’s House was laid by a remarkable group of supporters and their efforts exceeded all of The Valerie Fund’s expectations. They came together to bring a 150 year-old, heavily damaged house, not only back to its former elegance but one we were proud to share as a “visual feast of gorgeous home design.” The sublime experience that was Grace’s House accomplished so much on so many levels.

Topics: fundraising, give back, grace's house

The Avengers may be hitting theaters again this year but it is important to remember that #NotAllHeroesWearCapes! Let's take a look at how we can all help our super heroes. 

Topics: 5k, verona, walk, walkathon, run, events, new jersey, fundraising, volunteer, patients

The Valerie Fund invites you to Grace's House, a Valerie Fund Designer Show House.

Topics: moms, fundraising, art, volunteer, give back, patients, grace's house

Valerie Fund scholarship donors, board members, staff and parents recognized 25 of the 36 named scholarship recipients at the Maplewood Country Club in Maplewood, NJ on January 3, 2019. In total, 93 former and current Valerie Fund patients were awarded scholarships for the 2018 - 2019 academic year totaling $430,000 in scholarship money to attend college and universities, from local community colleges and vocational programs, to Ivy Leagues, nursing, and medical school.

Topics: education, childhood cancer, sickle cell, scholarship, awareness, scholarship program, hematology, oncology, survivor, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit

The Valerie Fund's Thanksgiving Ball Gala has been the highlight of the organization's fall/winter fundraising season and after 26 years, a change in venue set the tone for an all-out effort to dazzle guests. Close to 350 guests came to the beautiful facility, The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ and soon realized they were a part of the most memorable evening to date! Towering autumn centerpieces filled the tables in the massive ballroom. But the room couldn't contain the enthusiasm and generosity of the guests in response to the honoree speeches and interactions with our patient ambassadors.

Before the lineup of speakers took to the podium Valerie Fund patient, Olivia introduced the evening's 15 ambassadors. Ranging in age from six to 19, each current or former Valerie Fund patient spoke a little bit about themselves and mingled with guests in the ballroom.

Pat Tully, the Gala's auctioneer, rallied the crowd during the evening's live auction which featured tickets to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway plus a signed guitar, and dinner for ten in the private dining room of the esteemed L'Artusi restaurant in New York City. Close to $600,000 was raised --- the second largest fundraising total in the Ball's history! 

Topics: Holiday Giving, Blood Disorders, pediatric, childhood cancer, Founders, philanthropy, events, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, ambassadors, advocate, volunteers, give back, patients, The Grove

 Our blog series finishes with excerpts from the last set of 2018 Ambassador's profiles. A total of 16 ambassadors will represent The Valerie Fund at The Thanksgiving Ball Gala this Friday, November 16th. 

 

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, childhood cancer, sickle cell, awareness, hematology, oncology, centers, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, ambassadors, advocate, patients

In preparation for the Thanksgiving Ball Gala, at The Grove in Cedar Grove, the ambassadors met there a few weeks beforehand for the "Ambassador Orientation." They spent the evening filling out questionnaires, chatting, bonding, eating pizza, and touring the beautiful facility. Many parents of the younger ambassadors also joined the orientation.

An important part of the evening is always the medal ceremony. Each ambassador is awarded a special medal for his/her service to The Valerie Fund to be worn the night of the Gala. The ambassadors also have their picture taken to be featured in the Gala's program along with their handwritten excerpts.

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, childhood cancer, sickle cell, awareness, hematology, oncology, centers, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, ambassadors, advocate, patients