Aaron - Diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at age 18 months

My name is Aaron Raymond Newton. I am 2 and a half years old and I live in Oak Ridge, NJ. I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on May 4, 2011, at the young age of 20 months old. My tumor was removed and I have been monitored ever since. Today I am cancer free and a healthy young boy. I am also a new big brother. The Valerie Fund was an enormous part of getting us all through my diagnosis, surgeries, recoveries and hospital stays. They are still an enormous part of all of our lives and they always will be. I love going to the doctor because they make me feel like I'm not at a doctors office. Please help me by supporting the Valerie Fund and/or donating a little bit. This is for the children who are fighting Cancer and Blood Disorders. THERE IS NO DONATION TOO SMALL. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and God Bless. Love, Aaron

Abigail - Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 2

Abigail was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in March 2008, three days before her second birthday. She is still in treatment. Her mom, Allison, says that at The Valerie Fund Center, Abigal, “…is treated as a person, not a number.” For instance, she remembers the child life specialist blowing bubbles to distract Abigail and keep her from crying. Allison feels that people should support The Valerie Fund, “because they care about every child.”

Alex - Diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor at age 18 months

Now 15 years old, Alex was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor (a malignancy of the kidney) when he was 18 months old. His treatment consisted of six months of chemotherapy. Although he does not remember being sick because he was so young, Alex says that a treatment facility other than a Valerie Fund Center would most likely have been less child-friendly, and he and his family would not have felt “at home.” His parents have told him that he was “never unhappy” during the times he spent at the Center. Alex says, “I feel that [The Valerie Fund Center] made the process much easier for me and my family during a hard time.” Now a high school sophomore, Alex enjoys playing sports and hanging out with his friends. He says people should support The Valerie Fund because, “It is a great cause that will help a group of people who at one time saved my life, and the lives of many other children as well.”

Alyssa - Diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor at age 15 month

At 15 months old my daughter Alyssa was diagnosed with wilms tumor,a cancer of the kidneys. She underwent surgery to remove it & her left kidney. Due to her kidney not working properly she developed a heart murmur & thickening of the heart. She is being treated at the Valerie Center & is doing wonderful. A year & a half later the cancer has not returned. We know we are blessed, there are many children going through so much more then she is

Bella - Diagnosed with Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) at age 7

Bella's BunchTurning Pain into Purpose<br/> <br/> When Bella was 7 years old a gastro-intestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was found in her stomach. Although it was successfully removed through surgery, the doctors told us the chances of reoccurance were very high. It felt like we were still in the process of mentally recovering from the first one when less than 2 years later another tumor was found. In November of 2010 Bella had another surgery and 2 more tumors were found and all 3 were removed at the same time. We consider ourselves very lucky that so far she has not needed chemo or radiation but we also know we have a long road ahead of us monitoring her through scans hoping and praying another one is not found. Once again we’ve been told the chances of it happening again are extremely high so we rely on excellent doctors and the power of prayer to get us through. The Valerie Fund walk is a way for our family to give back; turning our pain into purpose. Bella is surrounded by a tremendous support system of truly amazing friends and family who have joined us in this effort. As she gets older our hope is that she will realize and appreciate the significance of The Valerie Fund in her life, and take the lead in paying it forward. Today Bella is healthy, looking forward to middle school, and involved in art, soccer, cheerleading and softball. She loves the beach and going to amusement parks especially if there are upside down rollercoasters! Please join us in supporting all the kids of The Valerie Fund. Their strength and courage are an inspiration to us all.

Brian - Diagnosed with Evans Syndrome at age 6 months

Brian’s mother, Jamie, feels his experiences at The Valerie Fund are “a big reason why my son doesn’t mind going to the doctor’s office. He feels at home and the staff dedicates itself to enhancing this feeling. Laura and Lynne have both made going to The Valerie Center a welcoming experience. They always have smiling faces and a warm welcome.”

Casey - Diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor at age 6

My diagnosis was a Wilms Tumor (Stage 4). I had surgery immediately to remove my right kidney and part of my liver and diaphragm. I underwent Radiation for 2 weeks and 6 months of Chemo. I remember getting off the bus the first year at camp when I was 6 years old and everyone was cheering so loud... I knew then I was going to be just fine away from home. I have now been to camp nine years in a row....it’s my favorite place in the world! Also, I remember having fun playing in the game room at the center. It would a been much harder on my parents. They would have had to travel out of state for my treatments every week instead of only 30 minutes. The Valerie Fund became my family away from home. I would not have felt that special at another center. The Valerie Fund Center was always so supportive of me and my family. Everyone was so caring and kept us informed about my treatment and illness. My family knew I was in a loving and safe environment. I am in 8th grade and love to dance, sing and act. I enjoy traveling with my family. I also love spending time with my best friend, Katie. We met at CHT six years ago. We live two hours away from each other but we make sure we see each other often. We understand each other and what we have been through. You receive wonderful treatment from caring doctors and nurses in a warm friendly environment... all close to home. Camp Happy Times is a special place to make friends and memories that last a lifetime!

Daniella - Diagnosed with Thalassemia Major at age 4 months

Seventeen-year-old Daniella was diagnosed with thalassemia major, an inherited blood disease prevalent among people from the Mediterranean region, at the age of four months. Treatment requires blood transfusions every three weeks. As a result, an excess of iron may build up in the blood, which must be removed through chelation therapy. Daniella originally took desferal (a form of deferoxamine), but is now on Exjade (the brand name for deferasirox), which is generally less painful to take. Daniella says that at a facility other than the Valerie Center, “I wouldn’t feel the same love and support from the doctors and nurses. Here at The Valerie Fund I am treated like a member of their family.”The staff at the Center, “helped keep the family informed and together. [Because of their encouragement], we never lost hope.” Daniella cherishes her memories of attending Camp Double H Hole in the Woods for the past ten years, which specializes in caring for campers with blood disorders. “Next summer I will be going back as a counselor,” she is excited to report. Right now, Daniella is a high school senior, searching for colleges where she can pursue her dream of an acting career. Her message is, “Please, please, please support The Valerie Fund! So many amazing kids are sick; they didn’t choose to have an illness, it just happened.The Valerie Fund has made each and every kid feel special. :)”

Destiny - Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 3

My name is Destiny Figueroa, Im four years old. I love to color, play with my toys and play with my DS. I love playing with my sister and cousins. Things have been different lately. Ive been at the hospitals too many times. I know Im there for the doctors to make me feel better. Im always tired, and sleep alot. My hair fell out completely cause of the medications they gave me. It was such a sad moment for me. I could still remember how I reacted when I went completely bold. I thought I was a boy but my mom made sure I understood that I was a beatiful girl! I have cancer. My mom and family have helped me understand that Im sick but I will be better very soon. In the mean time I got a pink wig and all these different type of hats and bows! Im very excited to see my hair growing back. This is the story of my daughter. She was diagnosed with Leukemia on December 29, 2010. It has been a whole different life style for her as well as me. Shes a fighter and very strong little girl. There are many children and adults that have been going through the same thing. Please help us in getting help for them. The Valerie Fund has been our support through it all. Im so thankful to have them. They have made my daughters journey less painful. They have kept her mind busy while chemo therapy and always kept a smile on her face! Im sooo thank ful!! Please help us raise money for this clinic. Each and every child leaves that clinic with a smile and at the end of the day that is what counts! THANK YOU VALERIE FUND!!!! <br/> <br/>

Hedi - Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 3

I have been dealing with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) for 13 years, since I was just a few months shy of my fourth birthday. In addition to my initial diagnosis, I’ve had two relapses. Now I am an adult working as a special education teacher. The Center helped me and my family so much. They were not just doctors treating a patient, they became our family. Not only did I receive the best medical care but Dr. Kamalakar was caring, loving and dedicated to my whole family and myself. At a different treatment facility I would not have received the personal care, compassion and attention that I did at The Valerie Fund Center. Even though I was sick, I have some funny memories related to the Center. At age three, I was sitting on the examining table and covered myself up with the gown. When Dr. Kamalakar and Dr. Bekele came in I said, “I hope I’m not pregnant.” I vividly remember dancing the hora—which is a dance to life—at my bat mitzvah with Dr. Kam. Please support The Valerie Fund. They give proudly, endlessly, and unselfishly from their hearts and don’t expect anything in return!

Josh - Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 7

One year and one month of Leukemia treatments done; two years and two months to go. Joshua is thriving (now 8 years old!) and we are so thankful. Please come out to support Joshua through his team, Joshua’s Joggers (our second year!), and ultimately aid the Center that has nourished our family and saved our son. Aside from a handful of scheduled hospitalizations that spanned no longer than a week, Joshua receives medications at home and treatment on an out-patient basis at the Valerie Centers in Morristown and Overlook Hospitals. If it was not for The Valerie Centers, our family would have been split apart as Joshua would need to seek treatment in Philadelphia or Manhattan.

Lizzie - Diagnosed with T Cell Leukemia at age 9 months

Lizzie was diagnosed with T cell leukemia on October 24, 2006, when she was just 9 1/2 months old. She was classified as high risk due to her age and the aggressiveness of her type of leukemia. Our world stopped spinning when Lizzie was admitted to the PICU at Morristown Medical Center. The next day,a doctor from The Valerie Fund gave us a name for her disease and laid out a plan for us. Since Lizzie did not reach remission in the induction phase, her doctors decided that she would require a bone marrow transplant. The plan was to give Lizzie three courses of chemotherapy with the hope of getting her into a good remission, and then go on to transplant. Thankfully, Lizzie achieved remission after the first course on December 21, 2006, and then went on to complete the other two courses. From Lizzie’s diagnosis to the time we left for transplant, we spent many days sitting in The Valerie Fund Center. The strain of having a child with cancer was exhausting and we were mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. One memory that stands out is how kindly the staff treated us when we were there for long stretches. After one particularly difficult spinal tap, Lizzie slept for hours and we curled up on recliners for a snooze ourselves. The nurses brought us blankets and pillows and kept an eye on a sleeping Lizzie while we slept. That is what makes The Valerie Fund so special to us. Not only were they taking care of our baby, but they took care of us when we didn’t have the energy do it ourselves. The Valerie Fund is staffed in a way that it meets the needs of the whole child and the whole family. The doctors have been incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and caring. The nurses go above and beyond the call of duty time and time again. The social workers were there for us mentally and emotionally. The support staff brought smiles to our faces over and over again with their kindness. It is a team approach to treatment from which everyone, especially the patients and their families, benefits. Currently we are home and Lizzie is thriving. She is 22 months and is enjoying everyday life, as all little toddlers should. She had her port removed on September 11, 2008 at Morristown. She is happy and healthy and enjoying all that she missed out on over the past two years. Our Lizzie is part of a playgroup, goes to story time at the library, enjoys a gym class, and spends the majority of her days playing with all her little neighborhood friends. She is a joy to be around, and we are so thankful to be able to experience life in a normal way once again. The team at the Morristown Medical Center Valerie Fund carried us through the most difficult time of our lives, and gave our daughter a chance at a long, healthy future. We will be forever grateful.

Sameed - Diagnosed with Sickle Cell at age Birth

“The Valerie Fund helps my family out a lot. The love that we receive from the staff is phenomenal. As Sameed would say ‘a home away from home.’ The social workers Christina and Lateasha and Jill, the child-life specialist are always there to talk when I need to. There’s been times when I had to miss work weeks at a time when Sameed was hospitalized and the social worker would write letters on my behalf so I can keep my job.”<br/> -Sameed’s mom, Stephanie

Sierra - Diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor at age 3

Our daughter, Sierra, who is now 4 was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor last year. The shock of this event left us feeling so incredibly helpless – our sweet baby child. As you can imagine, this last year has been a whirl wind for our entire family. During a time like this, everything else becomes irrelevant and a new perspective on life is rather forced upon you. Rightly we all prioritized our efforts on her and getting her better. As an outlet to our experience, we have become active in the Valerie Fund, which is a fantastic charity that supports the health care services for children with cancer and blood disorders, and our little 4 year old has taken on an Ambassador role for the Fund, which leverages her very BIG personality and ability to make others smile!!! We have witnessed her strength through all this and have found additional strength for ourselves, as a result (her unbelievable strength and FIGHT is something we refer to as “Monkey Bean”)! Sierra is now at a point where she is done with treatments and has been declared “clear of cancer.” However, we have just started off 5 years of monitoring her and the effects of the chemo – making it difficult to breathe and relax yet as each test brings on more anxiety…. <br/> Our journey continues, however with… Hope, Faith, Strength and Love for Our Little Monkey Bean

Tiara and Zyon - Diagnosed with Sickle Cell at age At Birth

Being treated at The Valerie Fund is different than being treated at other facilities, says Tiara “because it’s like a big family. The people are nice and my family and I feel comfortable.” When asked to name some people who were especially supportive or comforting, Tiara said, “Christina gave me support throughout my pregnancy; Dr. Kam has been so good to me and my whole family since I was a baby; and Kathy makes me feel really good whenever I come to the Center.” Tiara says she has seen many instances that illustrate The Valerie Fund’s philosophy that medical treatment is most effective when you treat the whole patient and the whole family. “Throughout everything,” says Tiara, “The Valerie Fund has been there.”

Veda - Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 3

Asked what is unique about The Valerie Fund, Veda’s grandmother, Shellie, replies that it’s our “genuine sincerity, compassion, and going far beyond the call of duty, 24 hours a day, every day. Most important, they keep the smiles coming. Joy and happiness have been just as key as chemotherapy.”<br/> <br/> “As head of the family, having Veda treated at The Valerie Fund has been invaluable in helping me handle the fear, doubt, and anxiety,” continues Shellie. “I can remember losing my composure and needing the support of The Valerie Fund staff and other families who were dealing with the same pressures and worries—and they were there.”<br/> <br/> While Veda was undergoing treatment, Shellie was diagnosed with heart disease. That was when TVF staff kicked into high gear, intensifying their focus on the entire family and providing Veda’s dad with support so he could carry on in Shellie’s role until she recovered. “Thank God for The Valerie Fund, “says Shellie. “I don’t believe we as a family would have survived without you.”

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