Meet Our Valerie Fund Kids
Abigael
Current Age: 18
Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma
Age Diagnosed: 17
"My first day of out-patient chemotherapy I was able to meet college students who wanted to pursue the medical field. We talked for what seemed like hours about our favorite traditional dishes. They helped me forget I was getting treatment and helped me feel normal."
Adriana
Current Age: 5
Diagnosis: Beta Thalassemia
Age Diagnosed: 3 weeks old
"The Valerie Fund has helped our family tremendously. Getting treatment can be rough for Adriana some days emotionally, but the Valerie Fund does everything they can to help ease her worries, make her time there fun, and make her feel special with all the fun events and prizes. Any questions we have, anything we need, there is someone there to help! The support for our family has been tremendous and has made a dark situation brighter for our family."
Alana
Current Age: 9
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell
Age Diagnosed: 1
"My favorite memory from being at The Valerie Fund center is all the laughter. The people are very positive and make even getting shots fun. One of my favorite memories is the Santa Claus events, taking the time to celebrate with the other kids and with the CHOP Voorhees staff, and the food is great too!
The Valerie Fund has helped my family celebrate each day and make every day count. They have accomplished by providing our family with fun and enjoyable experiences like trips to the zoo."
Anderson
Current Age: 6
Diagnosis: T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Age Diagnosed: 3
"There truly are too many ways The Valerie Fund has helped my family to list! Kelly, the child life specialist, truly makes the clinic so much easier for Anderson So much so that on shorter treatment days, he asks to stay longer! Ann, the social worker, is absolutely amazing and is such a calming, problem solving source for us as parents The holistic services, specifically massages, are Anderson's favorite. He takes advantage every time he is at clinic. The center itself is beautifully designed. It makes going in a lot nicer!"
Benjamin
Current Age: 17
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell
Age Diagnosed: At birth
"My favorite memory of The Valerie Fund is when a player from the Giants, Harry Carson, came and let us hold his Hall of Fame ring and gave us his autograph. When I was younger it was nice to have a toy after visits. The Valerie Funs also has supported me emotionally and has lifted my spirits up even during long hospital visits."
Bernardo
Current Age: 5
Diagnosis: ALL
Age Diagnosed: 2
"Everyone at The Valerie Fund Center has been nothing but amazing. Supporting us emotionally, physically, and when needed, financially. The "ease" of the journey for Bernardo really routed from the welcoming staff/family from the center! They all made him feel as "normal" as possible.Bernardo just recently started kindergarten. He is so excited to be around friends and learn. He also loves going outside to play sports and will soon be joining a basketball team!"
Channon
Current Age: 4
Diagnosis: ALL
Age Diagnosed: 3
"The love and support from the staff at The Valerie Fund have always been nothing but amazing. They helped with bills, always making sure the children and parents are okay and the most comfortable.When not at The Valerie Fund, Channon enjoys going to school, hanging on the playground and going out to eat."
Daniela
Current Age: 24
Diagnosis: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Age Diagnosed: 22
"I remember that first time I came to The Valerie Fund I felt so welcomed and loved by all of the staff. This made me feel welcomed and at home throughout my treatment. The Valerie Fund has helped me by assisting me financially and gifting me and my daughters with many gifts, that for sure made us feel loved. I am still currently in treatment, when I am done, I am looking forward to spending time with my daughter and pursing my nursing career."
Isabel
Current Age: 10
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell
Age Diagnosed: 6 months
"The support at The Valerie Fund is great, the proactiveness to treatment makes life easier. They care beyond the treatment offered, but have a deep concern towards the family and well-being which is very encouraging to our heart. Isabel is still in treatment. When we are not at The Valerie Fund center we like traveling, cooking as a family, watching movies with friends and loved ones."
Katrina
Current Age: 17
Diagnosis: ALL
Age Diagnosed: 9 and 16 years old
"The Valerie Fund is family. It's another home we come to (thankfully on occasion now) and receiving such care and love. They have helped us through 9 very emotional, stressful and strenuous years. Always being welcomes with smiles and hugs. Couldn't have been more blessed with being sent to The Valerie Funds clinic to take care of Katrina until she was healed. Our family was surrounded by so much love. Katrina just recently finished treatment (2 months ago) and has become so independent, thriving to make goals for her to accomplish."
Najee
Current Age: 21
Diagnosis: ALL
Age Diagnosed: 20
The Valerie Fund has been a very supportive group throughout this journey. They figured out ways to make me feel comfortable while receiving treatment at their centers. I was able to gain a tremendous amount of assistance from the knowledge provided by the staff. It has shown and taught me so many valuable pieces of information about how impactful they truly are in my life. This type of organization really focuses on all aspects of recovery from physical to psychosocial parts of health/wellness.
Skyler
Current Age: 9
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell
Age Diagnosed: 3 months
Skyler loves going to The Valerie Fund. She enjoys nurse Sharon, giving her gifts in exchange for getting blood drawn. The Valerie Fund is always helping with ways to help Skyler feel comfortable at all times. They make sure she is up to date with all medications and appointments. Skyler is going to continue her treatment with The Valerie Fund. Skyler enjoys playing in the play room and conversating with Dr. Rao and staff.
Sophie
Current Age: 11
Diagnosis: Stage IV Neuroblastoma
Age Diagnosed: 8
The Valerie Fund was there for Sophie and our family from the start of Sophie's diagnosis and continue to provide us support. TVF was a huge support system with assistance from child life, social workers and not to mention the doctors and nurses. Sophie also relied on Integrative Medicine, they allowed Sophie to manage her pain and her anxiety.
Trey
Current Age: 6
Diagnosis: ALL
Age Diagnosed: 4
Trey loved going to the Turtle Back Zoo with The Valerie Fund. The amount of support given by The Valerie Fund is overwhelming! They are family and always there when you need them. Trey would love to be going to school and playing football/basketball when he is done with treatment.
