The Valerie Fund Blog

Friday, November 16, 2018 is our 27th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala. This year, the event will be held at The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ, a new location for the first time in over two decades.

A tradition that will continue is inviting current and former Valerie Fund patients to be the evening's ambassadors. Guests will have the opportunity to meet with the ambassadors both informally in the ballroom and at Learning Depots. Learning Depots allow Valerie Fund patients and caregivers to educate guests about all the services the organization has to offer.

This year's ambassadors range in age from six to 19. They come from diverse backgrounds and were diagnosed with different pediatric cancers or blood disorders. They have shared their stories on how The Valerie Fund has helped them and their families. Their responses will be featured in the Thanksgiving Ball Gala's program as well as in this series of blogs.

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

The Valerie Fund's events have been in full swing since the summer. Starting with The Valerie Fund Walk & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run on June 9th, the organization has hosted three golf outings, a color run, a karaoke media event, and wrapped up with The Valerie Fund 5K Run & Walk, presented by World Subaru at the beginning of October.

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, cancer, 5k, awareness, walk, walkathon, sponsors, run, events, community events, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, world subaru, volunteer, give back, patients

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Janet Keating, who is a member of The Valerie Fund's Leadership Council, poses in honor of the Green Light Initiative.  

Topics: pediatric, childhood cancer, awareness, centers, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, volunteer, advocate, give back

Volunteering is a large part of the community driven-action that is so important in keeping a nonprofit organization vital. At The Valerie Fund, there are a variety of opportunities for those interested in giving back. These volunteer profiles illustrate that there are many ways to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer and blood disorders. 

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Charity, pediatric, cancer, childhood cancer, awareness, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, volunteer, advocate, volunteers, give back

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New Website

In keeping pace with the way people interact with and donate to their favorite causes, The Valerie Fund launched a new website in November. Many hours of preparation were dedicated to making navigation easier for the new and returning donors and for accessing resources available to Valerie Fund patients and their families. The new Valerie Fund homepage promotes all the good work our organization does and includes links to download applications for Camp Happy Times and The Valerie Fund Scholarships. 

Topics: Non-profit, social worker, educational liaison, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, cancer, childhood cancer, scholarship, awareness, scholarship program, centers, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, website

Topics: Non-profit, education, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, pediatric, childhood cancer, centers, events, community events, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, science, art

Avid tennis fans of all ages braved the snowy forecast on Saturday, December 9th to attend the 2017 Justin Gimelstob Children's Fund Tennis Exhibition. New Jersey native and former pro tennis player, Justin Gimelstob hosted the event to raise money and awareness for a variety of children's charities, including The Valerie Fund for the fourth time since 2007. 

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, events, community events, fundraising, Justin Gimelstob, Tennis, Madison Keys, The Bryan Brothers, CoCo Vandeweghe, tennis exhibition

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The 4^th Annual 5K Rook Run (and walk) hosted over 3,000 walkers and runners on Sunday, October 8^th in Long Branch, NJ at the Great Lawn Amphitheatre. Despite the soggy weather, supporters came out for a day of food and fun and to raise awareness for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, pediatric, childhood cancer, sickle cell, 5k, walk, oncology, events, rook, rook coffee, new jersey, fundraising, nonprofit, raffle, world subaru, subaru, 2018 subaru forrester

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September is National Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Join The Valerie Fund in going red and gold to raise awareness. #nobodyfightsalone #bethehope #40yearsofcaring.

 

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, childhood cancer, sickle cell, awareness, events, community events, new jersey, 40 years, fundraising

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The 4th Annual Rook Run (and walk) will be held on Sunday, October 8th, 2017 on the Long Branch boardwalk.

The high energy community event benefits children in our area battling cancer and blood disorders and has already raised over $500,000 to date. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Lead Sponsor World Subaru, a raffle drawing has been added this year and a 2018 Subaru Forester SUV will be given away to one lucky ticket holder on October 8th. 

Joe Wajda, Executive Manager of the Tinton Falls dealership decided to step up World Subaru's charitable efforts at the Rook Run (and walk) after seeing firsthand the top notch care patients were receiving at The Valerie Fund Children's Center located within Monmouth Medical Center.

Topics: Non-profit, Pediatric Cancer, Blood Disorders, Charity, childhood cancer, 5k, walk, walkathon, sponsors, oncology, run, events, rook, rook coffee, new jersey, fundraising, raffle, world subaru