Help Starts Here

"Your child has cancer." What do you do?

Your child has cancer.

No one is prepared to hear those words. Where do you turn for help? No family should have to go it alone. Friends of Karen is a lifeline of support for families in the NY Tri-State area. Watch our short video to learn more.

Pathway of Hope

We invite you to participate in this fundraising opportunity and leave a lifetime legacy of your support. The bricks will be engraved with your personal message and placed outside Friends of Karen headquarters, located in North Salem, NY. Read more.

LEGACY OF HOPE

Your legacy plan starts, first, with your loved ones and then reflects what else is important to you to continue long into the future. Consider adding Friends of Karen to your estate plans, IRA charitable distribution or IRA charitable rollover. Help us ensure that we can continue our mission for generations to come.

COPING WITH COVID-19

As much of the country begins the slow process of reopening after quarantine, there are many concerns families will face related to COVID-19. Here are some helpful resources and books that offer advice, information and inspiration.

welcome

Please help Feed A Family

Basic family needs such as food, housing and utilities are among the many financial strains a family endures when having a critically-ill child. No family should choose between paying for their ill child’s medical care and putting nutritious food on the table.

Feed a Family

Sibling Spotlight Chelsey

Chelsey is 12 years old and in the 7th grade. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching Netflix and playing sports like soccer and basketball. Chelsey is thoughtful, considerate of others, brave and fun!

Meet Chelsey. Click here to read more.

events

View all events

March 12, 2021

March Magic Virtual Event

March 31, 2021

Superhero Challenge Event

April 30, 2021

Long Island Walk/Run Marathon 3 Day Event

July 21, 2021

Long Island Roaring Twenties Gala

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

"Friends of Karen gave much needed sibling support for our 5-year-old daughter who was filled with so much confusion and mixed emotions about what was happening to her brother, her family and the life she knew."

John's mom

“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for our family during this tough time…It makes everything we’re going through a little easier.”

Julia's Mom

"I wish I never had to learn about your organization and everything you do. But while my wonderful son, Eric, was so horrifically sick, I'm glad to have had Friends of Karen on my side helping us out every step of the way. I will forever be grateful to all of you."

Eric's mom

"Friends of Karen has earned our 9th consecutive 4-star rating. This is our highest possible rating and indicates that Friends of Karen adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way. Only 1% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 9 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Friends of Karen outperforms most other charities in America."

Michael A. Thatcher, President & CEO, Charity Navigator

“Thank you, Friends of Karen, for allowing us to stop spending time stressing and to begin healing.”

Lyla's Dad

"Our outcomes are unquestionably enhanced by the support our patients receive from Friends of Karen."

Jeffrey M. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York

"At a time when our world was upside down and we didn't know how we were going to tackle our day-to-day lives, Friends of Karen was there to pick up the pieces."

Sofia's mom

"When our 2-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, Friends of Karen reached out a helping hand to pull us up when we felt we were falling off a cliff, with understanding, guidance and emotional support."

John's mom