PARSIPPANY — The Valerie Fund was presented with a $1,000 donation by the Sons of Italy on Wednesday, February 25 in support of their upcoming event on Saturday, June 13 in Essex County’s Verona Park.
The 2015 Valerie Fund Walk & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run will mark the tenth time supporters have come together to celebrate the courage and hope of children battling cancer and blood disorders.
More than one million dollars has been raised in each of the last three years and nearly 5,000 people are expected to attend. In addition to the 5K Run and mile walk around the park, participants will receive a t-shirt, be entertained with live music and children’s activities. A variety of free food will be available.
Bella, a 13 year-old former patient has been attending the Walk since 2009 and each year her team, Bella’s Bunch has the distinction of fielding the most participants.
Her father, Ralph Rocco is a member the Sons of Italy and recognizes President Joe Jannarone and the rest of the members of the Morris County Chapter Parsippany #2561’s ongoing commitment to his daughter and other children in their community. Their generous donations continue to help fulfill the vision of Valerie Fund founders Sue and Ed Goldstein.
Nearly 40 years ago, the Goldstein’s began The Valerie Fund to honor the memory of their nine-year old daughter. During the six years of her treatment, Valerie and her parents would often travel several hundred miles a week to a hospital in NYC and they wanted to spare other families with critically ill children the additional suffering of traveling to and from the city for treatment. Their dream was to help children receive high-quality care in a nurturing environment close to their homes.
Today, there are seven Valerie Fund Children’s Centers located in top pediatric hospitals in New York, New Jersey and metro Philadelphia and more than 4,000 patients are treated annually—one of the largest networks of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in the country.
For more information about The Valerie Fund & JAG Physical Therapy 5K Run, please visit TheValerieFund.org/walk.
To join Bella’s Bunch or make a donation, please click here.
