Ellis is a five-year-old boy who was diagnosed in 2023 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. His mother Jennifer shares how the diagnosis...
of every dollar supports children and families
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¢
of families are below poverty line
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%
children have been helped since our founding in 1978
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Celebrating 45 years
SUPPORTING CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
SIBLING SUPPORT: Unmasking the Power of Self-Expression
The little children and teens that Friends of Karen Sibling Support Program professionals work with are carrying some big feelings. How can they not? They are experiencing unimaginable stress, change...
A MOTHER’S STORY: Finding Help and Understanding
Finest is a 20-year-old college student being treated for a recurrence of Synovial Sarcoma, a soft tissue tumor, that first occurred when he was 15 years old. His mother Melissa...
BECAUSE OF YOU
Because of you, we can make a difference. Your support and dedication are truly appreciated. Thank you for all that you do to help others.
2024 Events
Show your support by joining us at one of our events, a great opportunity to meet our staff, board members, and the families we serve.
Walk/Run LI Marathon
May 3-5, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY
Midsummer's Dream Evening
July 11, The Coliseum, White Plains, NY
Journey of the Heart Bike Tour
September 14-15, Bicycle Tour Company, Kent, CT
Adina’s Angels 5K Walk
September 29, Rockland Lake State Park, Valley Cottage, NY
Heroes Among Us Gala
November 8, Guastavino’s, New York, NY
Honoring the lives of the children who have died
from July 15, 2023 to February 29, 2024.
Name Age
Madaisha………… 12
Tommy……………. 8
Jerry……………….. 18
Allison…………….. 7
Fatima ……………. 15
Ariadny…………… 2
Angel……………… 19
Eesa……………….. 1
Samantha ……….. 17
Xavier …………….. 13
Name Age
Jaylen…………….. 15
Rashelle………….. 16
Dunya…………….. 3 months
Jovanna………….. 14
Mike……………….. 3
Melanie ………….. 15
Lea…………………. 4
Christopher …….. 16
Kenny …………….. 15
Jaden …………….. 16
Name Age
Fiona ……………… 15
Daviel …………….. 14
Matthew…………. 2
Kenzie…………….. 2
Ian………………….. 7
A MOTHER’S STORY:
Finding Angels on Earth
Shameka is the mother of three: 14-year-old twins Ava and Amber, and their older brother Malachi, age 15. In 2023 Amber was diagnosed at 13 with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a disorder in which the heart’s main pumping chamber is enlarged. Shameka shares how Friends of Karen has been there for her family.
“Amber came to me complaining of chest pains which I thought were gas pains. When that did not go away, we went to the emergency room and she had some tests. The ER doctor arranged for her to be transferred to the children’s hospital where she was in the Intensive Care Unit. There, they found that only one of the four chambers of Amber’s heart was working, and her condition meant she needed a heart transplant to survive…”
WAYS TO HELP
Friends of Karen is a lifeline helping each family navigate the stressful journey of their child’s illness. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and every contribution makes a significant impact.
Enroll in the Sheila Petersen Legacy of Giving Circle
Leave your imprint to benefit future generations by naming Friends of Karen in your estate plans. You will continue to impact the lives of critically ill children and their families well into the future. Visit our website for more information. Read more >>>
Become a Monthly Guardian of Hope Donor
By joining our Guardian of Hope caring community, you will help provide emotional support for the entire family, pay for food, housing, mounting medical expenses and so much more each month. Your 12 reliable monthly gifts will bring critically ill children and their families strength and hope all year long. Read more >>>
Want to help with our gift programs for the children?
Programs include Summer Sacks, Back to School, Feed a Family, Holiday Adopt-a-Family, and
Birthdays. Please call Allison at 914-617-4054 or email allisonwatson@friendsofkaren.org.
Read more >>>
