PARSIPPANY — The 2017 Valerie Fund Walk and 5K Run was held on Saturday, June 10. 204 Teams, 704 Runners, 2281 Walkers and 2,985 Participants raised $911,234.46 (as of 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 12). Stand Tall For Hall was the #1 team with a total of $34,105.00 raised.
The Valerie Fund relies on the dollars raised to help the children who live in our community. The Walk and 5K Run will support our mission to provide comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at The Valerie Fund Centers. Patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Our philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
Bella Rocco, Parsippany, a 15 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. Bella’s Bunch raised $6,222 during this years event.
The Valerie Fund relies on the dollars raised to help the children who live in our community. The Walk and 5K Run supports their mission to provide comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at The Valerie Fund Centers. Patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Their philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
The Valerie Fund’s 2017 Goal is $1,000,000.00, and you can still donate to Bella’s Bunch by clicking here or Annie’s Army by clicking here.
The Walk and 5K Run will support our mission to provide comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at The Valerie Fund Centers. Patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Our philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
Annie’s Army – Annie Bush
Annie’s Army fundraising goal was $6,500 and they almost made it with $6,420.00.
As you all know our lives were changed forever in June 2016 with Annie’s (Leukemia) diagnosis. Throughout the last seven months Annie has had to endure numerous procedures and treatments, nearly all of which took place at the Valerie Center. Their hope is that instead of negative memories of chemotherapy, spinals and injections, Annie will look back at this time with only fond memories of all the fun that she had at the Valerie Center. Whether it was “messy” (that was always a request) art projects or mothering the baby dolls (including giving them their own IV and medicine and feeding them playdoh), there was always something fun to do there. When she was a little sad, she often got a little happier with foot massages and “seed” earrings (acupuncture). She even went to “school” at the Valerie Center, receiving her preschool tutoring during treatment visits. But beyond all of the activities, lessons, games, friends, and art projects is the fact that Annie would often be found snuggling up in the lap of pretty much any of the staff there. These people have become part of their family over the last seven months.
The Bush family cannot express how grateful they are for this organization and the people that work there!
Annie’s mom, Stacy Bush is a guidance counselor at Parsippany High School.
To read more about Annie, click here.
JAG Physical Therapy under the leadership of John Gallucci Jr., President & CEO, has been the exclusive run sponsor since 2007 donating more than $300,000 over the past ten years. JAG Physical Therapy has 15 locations throughout New Jersey and New York.
JAG Physical Therapy is a comprehensive outpatient physical therapy company which provides physical therapy care for general orthopedic, sports and soft tissue injuries, Workers’ Compensation cases, and Medicare patients.
