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50th Anniversary Stories
Located in eight pediatric hospitals throughout the NJ, NY and metro Philadelphia areas.
Browse Our Centers Make a DonationWe provide each patient with a team of social workers, psychologists and child life specialists that support them throughout their journey, which eases the burden so their family can concentrate on healing.
Every patient who enters any one of our centers is greeted by a team of specialists who support the entire family throughout treatment and healing.
Current Age: 4
Diagnosis: ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)
Age at Diagnosis: 3
Anthony loves monster trucks, and racing cars and everything that is fast. He has ridden his bike without training wheels since he was 2. He had longer hair but now he prefers it short because he is afraid of his hair falling in his spaghetti.
~Anthony’s Mom
Current Age: 12
Diagnosis: Neurofibromatosis-1 with a low-grade optic glioma (brain tumor)
Age at Diagnosis: 1 month
I love going to Camp Happy Times. I love going to the lake and getting on floaties. I love the water and really enjoy our time at the beach. I also love nighttime at the camp. They tell us stories and we sit around and have snacks.
When I’m at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center, I love chatting with my social worker, Franny, and Diana, my educational liaison. We talk a lot together. I also love going to the Christmas celebration they do at the center each year. I take photos with Santa and drink hot chocolate. I really like it and I really have fun that day.
I have always been grateful for all the help we have received during these important and challenging moments in our lives. The Valerie Fund has lifted a weight off our shoulders by supporting us financially when we were unable to do it ourselves. Our family is forever grateful for absolutely everything The Valerie Fund has done for us, and for how everyone has made us feel. -Mother (Joanna)
Antonella lives with neurofibromatosis, a life-long condition that requires continuous care. Outside of her treatment routine, she enjoys watching movies and listening to music.
Current Age: 8
Diagnosis: ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)
Age at Diagnosis: 5
The kindness, smiles, and encouragement from our Valerie Fund Children’s Center made the journey a little easier. The doctors, nurses, and staff became part of our story. They cared for Benjamin and supported me as a mom during this season of our lives. I walked through those doors carrying so many emotions - fear, hope, exhaustion, and faith and looking back now, I realize how much those moments mean to me.
Miss Tara, the social worker, was incredible and helped us get Medicaid for Benjamin so he could receive the care he needed. The Valerie Fund also supported our family in practical ways, including help with bills and grocery gift cards that always came at the right time. They gave our family opportunities to enjoy special moments together, like trips to the zoo and other activities that allowed us to have fun and create happy memories. They supported me through the mom’s support group, where I could connect with other mothers and share our journey.
Benjamin already rang the bell on June 30th, 2026, and enjoyed his summer break by eating a lot. Now he is back at school and ready for the year ahead with a lot of expectations for his future.
Current Age: 18
Diagnosis: Aplastic Anemia
Age at Diagnosis: 17
One day in early May, I was doing a charity hike with some friends and family, joking around and running a little less than half of it. And just one week later, I was in the hospital, being told I had a rare blood disorder called aplastic anemia.
My social worker, educational liaison, and nutritionist were wonderful with their support and Kristin, my child life therapist was magical. When I was an inpatient, she set up events including holiday celebrations. These activities helped me smile through the pain and brought joy at a very difficult time.
My Valerie Fund care team is truly amazing as a team and as individuals. Nothing was ever cold, clinical, or transactional. They brought genuine bonds, passion, and smiles wherever they went. And I know this was invaluable not only to me but also to all the children who were there and their families.
The Valerie Fund has helped my family with resources, support, warm smiles and hugs, and college planning. I’m now a high school senior, looking ahead to the future.
Current Age: 54
Diagnosis: Osteogenic Sarcoma
Age at Diagnosis: 16
When I first attended Camp Happy Times as a Jr. Counselor at 20 years old, I was initially overwhelmed by the experience and wanted to go home. As the week progressed, I had a lot of fun and opened myself up to developing some strong friendships with other survivors. I gained confidence, strength, and healing from the experience. By the end of the week, I didn't want to leave ... and I haven't missed a year since.
The Valerie Fund Children's Center staff supported me and my family during the most difficult time of my life. I was just a teenager, trying to get through high school while dealing with a life-threatening illness. I was so sick and scared, but they gave me hope and encouragement to help me endure my treatment. They always welcomed me with smiles and hugs. They supported my whole family and became a part of my family.
I am currently working as a school social worker in an elementary school. In the summer,
I spend much of my time helping to plan for Camp Happy Times, currently functioning
as Program Director. This past summer was my 35th year at camp.
Current Age: 7
Diagnosis: Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia
Age at Diagnosis: 3
Everyone on staff is incredibly welcoming and so good with all the kids. From security when you first walk in to reception, the nurses, doctors, and advocates, they are all so positive and do everything they can to make Hudson’s time there as enjoyable as possible.
The Valerie Fund Children’s Center staff have been a huge help in terms of understanding Hudson’s illness, how to deal with it, and how to spot symptoms. They have given us so much support and great resources, and they are always there to help us navigate any challenges.
Current Age: 46
Diagnosis: Testicular Cancer
Age at Diagnosis: 17
I was unable to attend Camp Happy Times as a patient but later spent several years as a counselor. The first thing I noticed when I arrived was how normal everything felt. Children with cancer are always treated differently - parents hover, we’re treated as if the slightest bump will break us, and sometimes your friends just don’t know what to do with you no matter how hard they try.
Camp Happy Times felt so normal. The campers could focus on the same things their friends back home were doing without feeling set apart because of their illness. They pushed themselves and each other to be adventurous - to hold a freshly caught fish for the first time or do a crazy dance in the talent show. Most importantly, they felt safe because everyone around them could relate to them, including all the staff and many of the counselors.
I remember having pangs of regret for missing my chance as a kid but also having much stronger feelings of gratitude for all the Valerie Fund kids who were able to benefit from such an incredible experience.
My parents were constantly worried while I was sick and knew how much they didn’t know. They needed help understanding what was happening, what they could expect, and the rationale for the treatments I was receiving. This was where we felt the value of The Valerie Fund most strongly. The staff has so much collective experience - the doctors, the nurses, the social workers, the phlebotomists, and everyone else. The experience was much easier because someone was always there to answer our questions and reassure us that, as a family, we were in the best possible hands.
I finished treatment almost 30 years ago and have had a clean bill of health since. I’m now a dad of amazing twin 13 year old boys, built a career as an executive in the media & technology industries, and have enjoyed years of rich experiences with family and friends.
My treatment wasn’t easy but I truly feel lucky that I was able to be treated by The Valerie Fund and have tried to repay that gratitude with continued service to the organization throughout my adult life. I spent several years as a Camp Happy Times counselor, co-founded the Valerie Fund Junior Board (now called the Young Professionals Network), and have served on the Board of Trustees for almost a decade, where I’m now the Board’s Vice Chair.
Current Age: 9
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell Disease
Age at Diagnosis: 6 Months
Makenzie is very comfortable with the staff at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center. She’s been able to attend the Christmas events. The Valerie Fund has been very helpful in covering housing expenses in the event of an illness. We are very thankful for everything.
Outside of treatment, Makenzie enjoys water painting and drawing.
Current Age: 33
Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Age at Diagnosis: 5, relapsed at 9, and 16
Camp Happy Times was always my safe place as a child and teenager. It was the place I could be around people who understood what life was like as a cancer survivor. I started attending when I was ten years old and I went back every year that I could. I loved making arts & crafts for my family and singing karaoke with my friends. Camp Happy Times was where I first learned to climb a zip-line, ride a horse, and fish!
The Valerie Fund helped my family advocate for my needs with school and insurance companies. The Valerie Fund Center staff was always warm, caring, and knowledgeable; they helped my family understand the course of treatment and side effects, and connected us with different summer camps. I was able to have social workers, music therapists, art therapists, and child life specialists who all helped me manage being a child with cancer at different stages of development. As I got older, the Valerie Fund helped me with scholarships for college so I could study social work without worrying about the financial burden.
I am currently a child welfare supervisor for the State of New Jersey, and I am also a licensed social worker. I volunteer for The Valerie Fund’s Camp Happy Times as a bus chaperone, the Walk/5K Run, and in the office. When I am not working or volunteering, I like to spend my time listening to audiobooks and spending time with my friends.
Current Age: 7
Diagnosis: B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Age at Diagnosis: 6
We have had so many meaningful and happy moments at The Valerie Fund, but two memories really stand out for Thomas. One was during Christmas, when Tara gave him so many presents. He truly believed Santa Claus had left them there for him, and we will always remember his excitement and happiness during such a difficult time. Another very special moment was on his birthday, when everyone involved in his care the doctors, nurses, and assistants- came into the room singing “Happy Birthday” to him. It was such a beautiful surprise, and it made Thomas feel incredibly special and loved.
The Valerie Fund has helped us, and continues to help us, in so many ways throughout Thomas’s treatment. From the very beginning, Tara has always been incredibly caring and willing to help with anything we might need. The financial assistance we have received has been a tremendous help and has made this difficult journey a little easier for our family.
We have also received emotional support from Karelyn, and Claire has always been so kind and caring toward us. Britney, Dr. Bathla, Dr. Rao, and all of the wonderful women who work at The Valerie Fund have always treated us with such kindness, compassion, and warmth. Knowing we have people who care not only about Thomas’s treatment but also about our family as a whole has meant so much to us. We are incredibly grateful for all the support The Valerie Fund has given us during this journey.
Thomas is still in treatment, and when he is not at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center, he loves to simply be a kid. He loves riding his bike, fishing, playing ball, and being outdoors. He is a very active boy with so much energy and a big personality. He loves to play and have fun, and being able to enjoy these simple moments of childhood means so much to him and to us.
The Valerie Fund
2101 Millburn Avenue
Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-761-0422 :: Phone
973-761-6792 :: Fax
