FRIENDS OF KAREN

FRIENDS OF KAREN “When parents of a terminally or catastrophically ill child receive financial and emotional help,
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Thank you, Holy Rosary Altar Society!We are deeply grateful for your time, teamwork, and dedication in helping prepare s...
09/02/2026

Thank you, Holy Rosary Altar Society!

We are deeply grateful for your time, teamwork, and dedication in helping prepare school supplies for children and families facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Your kindness helps children begin the school year feeling supported, prepared, and cared for!

A childhood cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, often bringing significant emotional and psychological distress. ...
09/01/2026

A childhood cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, often bringing significant emotional and psychological distress. Research supports psychosocial care as an essential part of pediatric cancer treatment, helping children and families cope with the challenges of illness.

At Friends of Karen, we support families with professional, compassionate emotional support, financial assistance, and advocacy—because caring for the child also means caring for the family.

No family should face their child’s cancer journey alone.

Kearney, J. A., Salley, C. G., & Muriel, A. C. (2015). Standards of Psychosocial Care for Parents of Children with Cancer. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 62, S632–S683.

To learn more about cancer’s psychosocial impact, visit https://rebrand.ly/pcrf-kids.

We’re proud to spotlight an incredible team of volunteers from Goldman Sachs! They rolled up their sleeves and helped pa...
08/26/2026

We’re proud to spotlight an incredible team of volunteers from Goldman Sachs! They rolled up their sleeves and helped pack backpacks filled with essentials for 80 FoK families.

Their teamwork, generosity, and commitment made a meaningful difference—and showed what’s possible when friends come together in action. Thank you, Goldman Sachs, for supporting our families and our mission!

Dine for a Cause at Capon's Chophouse! 🍽️❤️Join us on September 2nd for a delicious meal that gives back! A percentage o...
08/25/2026

Dine for a Cause at Capon's Chophouse! 🍽️❤️

Join us on September 2nd for a delicious meal that gives back! A percentage of the evening's sales will benefit Friends of Karen, providing emotional, financial, and advocacy support to families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness.

We hope to see you there!

📍 Capon's Chophouse | The Shops At Riverside
390 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601

In January 2012, Sophia was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at just three years old. Sophia endured multiple brai...
08/25/2026

In January 2012, Sophia was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at just three years old. Sophia endured multiple brain surgeries, countless MRIs and spinal taps, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant.

"Friends of Karen stepped in when we needed support the most. They helped ease the financial stress, supported every member of our family, and reminded us that we were not alone. Their compassion and generosity gave us hope during this difficult time. Through their help, we also learned the importance of giving back."

Today, Sophia is thriving at 13 years in remission and about to begin an exciting new chapter—heading off to college this fall. This year marks Theresa’s 12th year riding in the Journey of the Heart Bike Tour, and GinaMarie’s 2nd year.

"What began as a way to honor Sophia and give back has become a meaningful tradition for our family. Riding together makes every mile even more special. We ride for Sophia, for the families who are facing the unimaginable right now, and for the incredible organization that stood beside us when we needed it most. Every mile we ride is filled with gratitude, love, hope, and a commitment to continue the legacy of support that Friends of Karen gave us."

-Theresa and Gina Marie

Visit https://support.friendsofkaren.org/site/TR?fr_id=1100&pg=entry to register as a rider or make a donation.

This is Hailey. She's 8, she loves board games, being silly, and most of all, her little brother Jaxson. 💛Jaxson is curr...
08/21/2026

This is Hailey. She's 8, she loves board games, being silly, and most of all, her little brother Jaxson. 💛

Jaxson is currently being treated for Leukemia and recently had a bone marrow transplant, which means weeks apart from his big sister while he heals. So Hailey did what any creative, caring big sister would do: she made him a mailbox for secret notes, sewed him a pillow shaped like his favorite character so he'd always feel her close, and turned her big feelings into beautiful art.

Since 1978, Friends of Karen has walked alongside families like Hailey and Jaxson's, offering emotional, financial, and advocacy support so they can stay strong together. Because when a child is sick, the whole family needs care. That includes big sisters like Hailey, who show us every day what resilience and love look like. 💛

💌 Visit https://www.friendsofkaren.org/sibling-spotlight-hailey-jaxson/ to read Hailey's full story — and see her artwork for yourself.

One of our Jr. Advisory Board members, Reese, attends Trail’s End Camp and nominated Friends of Karen as one of the fund...
08/19/2026

One of our Jr. Advisory Board members, Reese, attends Trail’s End Camp and nominated Friends of Karen as one of the fundraiser's beneficiaries.

It's such a great example of how our Jr. Advisory Board members are making a meaningful impact in their own way. It's always inspiring to see Friends of Karen's mission reaching new audiences and gaining greater awareness throughout different communities.

Visit https://www.instagram.com/reels/DadLGXhR9me/ to see Trail's End Camp's video!

Back-to-School Means So Much More Than School Supplies.For many families, back-to-school season brings excitement—and a ...
08/18/2026

Back-to-School Means So Much More Than School Supplies.

For many families, back-to-school season brings excitement—and a few first-day jitters. For children returning after cancer or another serious illness, those feelings can be so much bigger.

At Friends of Karen, August and September are some of our busiest months. Our employees and volunteers work hard to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for the children we serve and their siblings—because every backpack brings joy, normalcy, and one less worry for families carrying so much already.

Returning after treatment brings big questions: Will my friends recognize me? What if I look different? Will I fall behind? Our kids remind us these feelings are normal, and they've shared the advice that helped most: talk to teachers beforehand, be open about your worries, lean on trusted friends, and be patient. Healing takes time. Most of all, don't be afraid. Chances are your classmates are just happy to see you.

As one of our young Friends of Karen shared: "The day I came back to school everybody was so happy."

To every child heading back this year: we hope it's filled with kindness, confidence, and the magic of childhood.

Happy Back to School from all of us at Friends of Karen! 💙

🔗 Visit https://www.friendsofkaren.org/back-to-school-2026/ to learn more or support our mission.

Don’t miss the Friends of Karen New York City Gala: Beacon of Hope one October 22 at Capitale! Join us for a Gatsby-insp...
08/18/2026

Don’t miss the Friends of Karen New York City Gala: Beacon of Hope one October 22 at Capitale! Join us for a Gatsby-inspired evening celebrating how Friends of Karen serves as a beacon of light for families navigating their child’s critical illness, providing support, compassion, and hope when they need it most.

Whether you join us as a guest or make an even greater impact as an event sponsor, your support helps us continue to be that beacon of hope for our families.

All sponsors who commit by August 24 will have their company name or logo featured on our event invitation and materials.

Visit https://rebrand.ly/FOKnycgala to secure your tickets or sponsorship today!

Join us for Adina’s Angels 5K Walk on Sunday, October 4 at Rockland Lake State Park! Bring your family and friends as we...
08/14/2026

Join us for Adina’s Angels 5K Walk on Sunday, October 4 at Rockland Lake State Park! Bring your family and friends as we host “Our Culminating Event” for Adina’s Angels Walk supporting the Sibling Support Program to benefit Friends of Karen.

Register to walk and create your own fundraising page to make an even bigger impact for critically ill children and their families.

Visit https://rebrand.ly/FOKAA2026 to get started – we can’t wait to see you there!

Address

118 Titicus Road
North Salem, NY
10560

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19142774547

Website

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