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

A gift that will last a lifetime! Your brick contribution is a great way to recognize milestones and achievements for yourself or a loved one. Celebrate the Holidays, a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, graduation or in honor or in memory of someone special.

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

Feed a Family 2020

This year brings a unique challenge to our annual Friends of Karen Thanksgiving Food Drive. Due to COVID19 we have created a reimagined, virtual food drive for our Friends of Karen families. You can contribute to a family by donating directly to Friends of Karen. Friends of Karen will then purchase gift cards and distribute them to the families so they can purchase their Thanksgiving dinner.

Click here donate

Holiday Sibling Spotlight

To so many of us the holidays mean giving thanks, merriment and time spent with friends and family. The celebrations of the season are also about finding light in times of darkness. As always these beautifully resilient children remind us of what hope and gratitude look like. We invite you to read their words below. We hope their poem brings you warmth, comfort and a bit of inspiration to your home this holiday season.

Click here to read more

events

View all events

November 25, 2020

Feed a Family

December 1, 2020

#GivingTuesday

December 13, 2020

Virtual Memorial Ceremony Candlelight Service

December 23, 2020

Holiday Adopt a Family

December 31, 2020

Hope For Youth Foundation Calendars

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

"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

"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

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

Lyla's Dad

"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

"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

"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

"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