$5 million raised to support pediatric cancer and blood disorders

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Valerie Fund successfully completed its first-ever capital campaign, the Green Light Initiative, by raising more than $5 million for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. The funds raised by the Green Light Initiative will play an integral role in expanding services throughout the area for children fighting cancer and blood disorders.

Investments from donors large and small will be turning red lights green. In addition to generous giving by numerous individuals, major corporate and foundation support came from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, and the Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation. These are being used in support of children by expanding current services, such as survivorship care, the psychology program, the integrative medicine and palliative care program, educational support, and emergency funding for struggling families, by 50 percent; launching a new Valerie Fund Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson; and increasing scholarships for both current and former patients to support their higher education.

Natalie Nageeb joined the team as a child psychologist at The Valerie Fund Center at CHOP as a direct result of the Green Light initiative. “Living with a chronic illness is stressful,” she said. “And our patients deserve a space to share those feelings and be supported.”

The completion of this capital campaign comes in September, which has been designated as both National Children’s Cancer Awareness Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The official designation of both allows for a spotlight to be shone on the underreported need for families dealing with a pediatric cancer or blood disorder.

The mission of the Valerie Fund, which is based in Maplewood, is to provide individualized care to children fighting cancer and blood disorders at medical centers close to home.

  Cancer, Valerie Fund