A letter from our Executive Director Barry Kirschner
To our caring Valerie Fund family:
While the coronavirus has surely impacted all of our lives, I want to assure you that The Valerie Fund remains committed to doing even more now for our children and families. We have always said “It’s all about the kids,” and that sentiment is even truer today. We are here to help them in any way we can with emergency funds, new clean toys for the Child Life playrooms, and whatever this unique period demands to help Valerie Fund caregivers continue to provide the best possible care.
As you’d expect, the Centers are following rapidly changing guidelines from the CDC and the Children’s Oncology Group, keeping the safety of the families in mind. But owing to the environment, there are a few changes in the centers and our office I want to share with you.
At The Valerie Fund Children’s Centers:
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All Valerie Fund Children’s Centers continue to operate with both medical and psychosocial staff. The children continue to receive the highest quality of care close to home, which is more crucial than ever in our current environment.
The Centers continue to provide the highest quality of care while following new hospital rules ensuring extra caution to avoid infections. Outside visitors are not permitted and there are limitations as to how many family members can accompany a child.
All non-essential care is treated by telemedicine, phone, or postponed.
At The Valerie Fund Office in Maplewood:
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For everyone’s safety, like most businesses, The Valerie Fund office is closed. We are working remotely and can be reached by email at any time. All email addresses can be found here or on our website, www.TheValerieFund.org.
As you’d expect, near term events have either been canceled or postponed. The Seton Hall Piratethon on (March 21st) is canceled. Kids Ice Cancer (March 27th) will be rescheduled. Morgan Stanley Rec Day (May 17th) is postponed. Our Junior Board Gala (April 25th) has been moved to November 14th, 2020. As of this moment, our annual Valerie Fund Walk and Jag-One Physical Therapy 5K is still scheduled for June 13th. We will keep you informed of its status in the coming weeks.
Most importantly, our Valerie Fund children and families will continue to receive the care that they need and deserve. And this is because of the generous support you’ve given them in the past and will have the opportunity to continue. We will keep you, our extended Valerie Fund family, informed as we move forward together.
On behalf of our incredible board and staff, thank you for all you have made possible. Please stay safe and well in the days ahead.
All the best,
Barry Kirschner
Executive Director
The Valerie Fund