Alyssa and Melissa are the two newest social workers at Friend of Karen, having joined the organization two years ago. They share their perspectives on working with children being treated...
Read MoreChildhood cancer awareness month
STORIES OF HEALING AND HOPE
Paying it Forward
When their five-year-old son, Taylor, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2012, his parents Ron and Kesa were at a loss. How were they going to manage when Kesa had...
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When Treatment Ends, New Challenges Begin
Ty was 4 years old in June 2021 when he was diagnosed with B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of blood cancer. He has completed his course of treatment...
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Supporting Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Friends of Karen currently supports eight families whose child is in treatment for Sickle Cell Disease.
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Friends of Karen is marking the month by shining a light on the illness and how we support children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and their families. Two percent (8 children) of the children we serve currently are being treated for SCD, which is a group of inherited disorders that distort red blood cells from their typical round shape into crescent, or sickle, shapes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these misshapen blood cells can get stuck inside blood vessels leading to episodes of severe pain, serious infections, stroke, or organ damage.
You are the heart and soul of our caring Friends of Karen community. Thank you for making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we are privileged to serve.
Jr. Advisory Board Fundraiser
Our Jr. Advisory Board Members, Charli, Alexa, and Jack, hosted a successful restaurant fundraiser at Chris & Tony’s, raising over $4,000 for Friends of Karen! Their dedication and hard work were integral to the event's success, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the lives of families in need.
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The Anderson Family
Seventeen years ago, in appreciation for the support they received when their son was ill, the Anderson Family established our Friends of Karen 5K Team for the Long Island Marathon weekend, and their unwavering dedication has made a lasting impact. This year, they went above and beyond by participating in several media interviews, helping raise visibility and vital funds for our mission. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and for courageously sharing Luke’s story with the community.
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Long Island Gala Honorees
In March at our Long Island AlwaysGold Gala, we proudly honored Michael Bauer (L), Senior Data Analyst at Sedgwick, and Rory Bulovas (R), President & CEO of Bulovas Restorations Inc., pictured with Friends of Karen Regional Director, Leslie Bellissimo. Their remarkable efforts helped us exceed our fundraising goal of $275,000, and we welcomed over 300 guests in attendance. It was an unforgettable evening celebrating Friends of Karen’s mission and the incredible support of our community.
Read MoreA MOTHER'S STORY
CHERISHING MEMORIES
Angel was 19 when he passed away in September 2023 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Angel and his single mother Milagros were paired with Friends of Karen social worker Rhonda during his treatment. Rhonda continues to support Milagros for bereavement support. Milagros shares her memories of Angel and how Friends of Karen helped the family.
“Angel and I had fun just spending time together. He was a good kid who was so full of life. He loved spending time with family. He loved music, dancing and playing basketball. I would describe him as charming. He made an impression on everyone he met, and he always had a smile on his face…”
Honoring the lives of the children who have died from
March 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024.
Name |
Age |
| Danny | 19 |
| Kalvin | 10 |
| Emmanuel | 14 |
| Kyle | 19 |
| Zoey | 4 |
| Gavin | 20 |
| Maria Isabella | 8 |
| Daniela Christina | 11 |
| Kylie | 14 |
| Tashieka | 16 |
| Fajr | 6 |
| Emily | 17 |
| Bryan | 20 |
| Walibel | 13 |
| Caleb | 7 |
| Alex | 10 months |
| Keanu | 5 |
| Zayan | 1 |
| Peter | 10 |
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.
Journey of the Heart Bike Tour
Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, Bicycle Tour Company, Kent, CT
Adina’s Angels 5K Walk
Sunday, September 29, Rockland Lake State Park, Valley Cottage, NY
Mamma Rosa’s Italian Dinner Fundraiser
Tuesday, October 22, Mamma Rosa Ristorante, Somers, NY
Heroes Among Us Gala
Friday, November 8, Guastavino’s, New York, NY
Art is a natural way for children to express themselves, especially when the words get stuck or language isn’t enough. With the guidance from our Sibling Support Specialists (Licensed Creative Arts Therapists and Certified Child Life Specialists)
Friends of Karen children use art to tell their stories, to act as a bridge to communicate with their families.
Giuliana made a 4 color chart to describe the feelings she experienced while receiving
treatment for Leukemia.
Brian’s sister Nayeli has Leukemia. He uses this drawing to explain how her chemotherapy port works.
Bracelets made by siblings Yorleny and Freddy to share with their family members.
Here are ways you can show your support for children battling cancer and
Friends of Karen’s efforts to support them and their families.
Make a Donation
Donate to Friends of Karen. 80% of the children helped by Friends of Karen are fighting to stay strong in their battle with cancer. Your help ensures the entire family is helped through this devastating journey. Click here to donate.
Host a Fundraiser
Click here to learn more about how to host a fundraiser in your community or virtually online.
Follow us on Social Media
Follow Friends of Karen on social media and encourage your friends and family to get involved as well! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn @friendsofkaren
Wear a Gold Ribbon
Despite medical breakthroughs in treatment, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children. That’s why gold is the official color for childhood cancer awareness – it symbolizes how precious children are and recognizes their courageous strength. Friends of Karen is #AlwaysGold…Because the fight doesn’t end until cancer is gone and we help children with cancer 365 days a year.
Back to School was a huge success and we couldn’t have done it without you! Because of you, Friends of Karen children are prepared to head back to school with the wonderful backpacks filled with crisp new school supplies that arrived at their door, all thanks to our amazing supporters like you and our dedicated volunteers who helped us pack.
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.
Become a Monthly Guardian of Hope
By contributing a predetermined amount each month, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are providing the on-going vital support that our families need. Your donation will be charged to your credit card each month. If for any reason you wish to increase, decrease or suspend your gift, just...
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Leave a Legacy
Begin your legacy with us. Your legacy plan starts, first, with your loved ones and then reflects what else is important to you that you want to continue long into the future. Wise planning for family, friends and charities, like Friends of Karen, that are important to you, allows you...
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Feed a Family
At Friends of Karen, we know that a family’s financial resources are stretched thin when at least one parent must stop working to care for their critically ill child. They need help putting food on the table for their family, now more than ever with the increased cost of groceries....
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