Back to school season has long been a busy time at Friends of Karen. For weeks employees and volunteers have been tirelessly working to fulfill school supply lists for our Friends of Karen children and their siblings. It is all well worth it when we receive photos of the adorable children smiling ear to ear with the wonderful backpacks
The feeling of support and connection between the families and staff is deep rooted and families will often look to the Family Support team as a lifeline in challenging times. This month’s very special Sibling Spotlight, Brandon, was only two years old when his older sister Melanie died after a long battle with cancer.
Cooper, now seven years old, participated in the Friends of Karen Sibling Support program with creative arts therapist Siobhan. Cooper’s mother Joan shared that Friends of Karen’s ongoing support has been helpful as they grieve the loss of Cooper’s older brother Astor. Astor passed away at age eight after being treated for Childhood Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
Friends of Karen, a nonprofit organization that supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families living in the Tri-State area, announced that Steven Connolly, Dr. Gina Lodolini and Dr. Sarah Norris have been elected as members of the Board of Directors.
The Friends of Karen Family Support Team develops strong bonds with the families they work with through the span of many months and at times years. Though every family is unique and we view each member of the family as special, the boundless love and strength of the mothers inspire our continuous and steadfast support. We know that so often…
Logan is a four-year-old boy who was diagnosed in 2022 with Aplastic Anemia, which is characterized by bone marrow failure when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. His mother, Elizabeth, a registered nurse, shares how Friends of Karen helped her, Logan and his twin sister Gianna, his older siblings Jayda and Jeremy, and his father Ismael as they…
In the height of the Covid pandemic, Demario’s then one-year-old brother, Kemario, diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia at birth, moved to New York with their mother, Sasha, to find the best treatment she could while Demario, age seven, remained in his home country of Jamaica with his father and extended family. Kemario underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered repeated complications in its wake. As Sasha sat beside her youngest child throughout his treatment, Demario was unable to see his mother and brother for two years.
WESTCHESTER HEADQUARTERS
118 Titicus Road
North Salem, NY 10560
(914) 277-4547
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150 Broadhollow Road, Suite 112
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 473-1768
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New York, NY 10011
(212) 308-1378
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