CNN Anchor John Berman donating his $50,000 “Celebrity Jeopardy!” winner’s check, NBC News National Correspondent and Anchor Kate Snow introducing our new film, honorees Trish Lobenfeld and Tom Jocelyn’s inspiring stories – these were among the memorable moments at Friends of Karen’s spring gala benefit, “Portraits of Strength, Hope, Courage & Love.” Laura, a Friends of Karen child who is battling a rare cancer, said, “I was very ill when Friends of Karen came into my family’s life. When I’m sad, Friends of Karen is there and they help the light come back. They’ve helped my little sister smile again, they’ve helped my older sister and my mom.”
Friends of Karen provides vital and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families in the New York Tri-State region who are caring for a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. We carefully match each family with one of our skillful social workers, who serves as their personal advocate. This ensures that they get the emotional, financial and practical support they so desperately need to remain functioning and able to cope during a crisis that affects every member of the family. Our aim is to help free them of everyday needs and concerns, so they have more time for what’s most important: each other.
The gala, held May 29 at The Loading Dock (Stamford, CT), raised over $320,000 to help the hundreds of families who turn to Friends of Karen every day.
