On 10th Anniversary, Valerie Fund Walk Having Birthday Theme
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The Valerie Fund has been supporting comprehensive health care services for young patients with cancer and blood disorders since 1976.
For thousands of these children and their families, it's helped provide comfort and healing close to their New Jersey homes.
As WCBS 880's John Metaxas reported, cancer patients are keenly aware of their time in treatment.
On 10th Anniversary, Valerie Fund Walk Having Birthday Theme
"I have acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and I was diagnosed Nov. 5 of 2013," said 15-year-old Francesca Lentini. "I finish Feb. 28 of 2016. I'm counting down the days."
The Valerie Fund is hoping to raise $1 million when it holds its annual walk and 5K run Saturday at Verona Park in Verona, New Jersey. For more information, click here.
Francesca said The Valerie Fund has been with her every step of the way.
She'll be at Saturday's walk. This year is its 10th anniversary.
The Valerie Fund's Bunny Flanders said this year's walk will have a birthday theme.
"Because every time a kid with cancer has a birthday, it's a milestone, and we celebrate it," she said.
Seventeen-year-old Brianna Commerford will be there for the ninth year.
"Right now, I'm a five-year cancer survivor, and to this day, The Valerie Fund still helps me," she said.
Cancer treatment is measured in days and months. Survival is measured in years.
Never Alone
Getting treated for leukemia is no fun, says 7-year-old Sam Schneider.
"I try to stay calm, but it's hard for me because I don't like needles," he said. "They say to close my eyes and not look at it."
But Sam and his mother, Jane, are grateful they've had the help of the people at The Valerie Fund.
Valerie Fund: Never Alone In Cancer Fight
"The very first day -- I think within the first minute -- Nicole from The Valerie Fund, the child life specialist, came in, with a little bag of goodies for Sam, with Lego sets, with a journal for him to write in, which he did," Jane said.
"The very next second, the social worker came in -- Julie -- to talk to us. There were constantly people checking up on us."
Sam's mom said they never felt alone.
"Whenever you needed someone to talk to, they were there," Jane said. "And for us, it was more emotional. You know, you just needed someone to talk to. You needed someone who had seen a child that had this that got through it."
Sam has gotten through it. He's now cancer free. And the whole family is walking in Verona Park this wekeend to say thanks.
