The Valerie Fund Blog

The end of the year is a time of both giving and receiving for many people. Finding just the right gift for that special someone can be a fun-filled hunt for the treasure that will light up someone's day - but how can shopping for your friends and family help a Valerie Fund kid at the same time during this holiday season? 

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! 

#GivingTuesday is a social media initiative that encourages people around the world to get involved in their communities, use their talents to help others and give back. #GivingTuesday has been celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for the last five years and follows the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This worldwide day of giving marks the start of the charitable season, and is a reminder to give back during the whirlwind of the holiday season. 

According to Dr. Gregory Armstrong, a researcher and pediatric oncologist at  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who led the federally funded Childhood  Cancer Survivor Study, there are about 450,000 pediatric cancer survivors  today. This is not only great news for the hundreds of thousands of children but multiply those children by the number of immediate and extended family, you will quickly see that these little warriors each have their own personal  universe.

Your holiday gift to charities that support childhood cancer and blood  disorders works as an anchor and a rocket ship.  As an anchor, it allows the  charity to provide their core offerings. As a rocket ship, it allows them to  expand their menu of services to better accommodate their patient's needs.