The Valerie Fund: 20th Annual Walk & 5K for Childhood Cancer

The Valerie Fund's Mission and History

• 🎗️ The Valerie Fund, founded in 1976, has been dedicated to helping children battling cancer and blood disorders for nearly 50 years.
• 🏥 It began from the grief of Sue and Ed Goldstein after their daughter Valerie's passing, leading to the establishment of outpatient treatment centers.
• 🌍 Today, the organization operates eight centers across New York, New Jersey, and Metro Philadelphia, treating over 6,000 children annually.

Comprehensive Care and Support

• 🧠 Beyond medical treatments like chemo and radiation, The Valerie Fund addresses the psychosocial needs of children during their treatment.
• 🎓 A robust scholarship program supports educational pursuits for these young patients.
• 🏕️ The fund also hosts a wonderful summer camp for children who have or have had cancer.

Quinn's Personal Experience

• 😟 Quinn shares his experience being diagnosed with cancer on the first day of summer, facing a year of treatment.
• 🤗 Despite initial nervousness, he found the Valerie Center to be a welcoming environment, treating him like family rather than just a patient.
• 💪 Quinn draws strength from playing sports, particularly as a football kicker, and from the super support of his friends.

Family Impact and Gratitude

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Quinn's mother, Caryn, expresses how extraordinary the Valerie Fund's support has been, easing their worries during a traumatic time.
• 🙏 The family is deeply thankful for the care and the way their needs were met from the very first day.

The 20th Annual Valerie Fund Walk & 5K

• 🏃‍♀️ The event is the organization's biggest fundraiser, with hundreds of people gathering in Verona Park, New Jersey.
• 🎯 The goal for this year's event is to raise $1 million, with current donations already reaching $820,000.
• 🗓️ The walk takes place on Saturday morning, June 7th, and it's not too late to get involved or donate.