| John Mitty Thursday, April 25, 2013 |
Melville, NY – When a Farmingdale mom shares the story of her family’s turbulent seven year odyssey with her son, Jake’s, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) diagnosis at First Data’s corporate offices, there is sure to be not a dry eye in the house.
The event, held for First Data employees as they gear up for their company’s participation in the 7th Annual Walk-Run for Friends of Karen at the Long Island Marathon, will take place on Friday, April 26 at 12 noon at1307 Walt Whitman Road in Melville.
Capping off a week of campus whiffle ball games and other festivities to encourage employees to join and fundraise for the Walk-Run, First Data has maintained this significant partnership with Friends of Karen for the past 7 years.
“Our commitment to corporate social responsibility has always been strong, and Friends of Karen is one of the ways in which our employees reach out to the community to help those who need assistance,” said Leanne L. Boller, Director of Human Resources at First Data. Assisting children with serious illnesses and their families through Friends of Karen is something we are proud to be a part of.”
Spearheaded by another mother whose family was helped by Friends of Karen and who wanted to run a half marathon to honor her son, Luke, diagnosed with leukemia as a toddler, this year’s Walk-Run for Friends of Karen is chock-full of inspiring stories:
Families with critically-ill children, athletes with special challenges, corporate employees, caring community members and Luke, now 11 years old, who plans to run with the team at the Saturday 5K in East Meadow on May 4 along with his mom, dad and older brother Patrick.
Funds raised from the Walk-Run will directly benefit families who are assisted by Friends of Karen’s Family Support program which helps with household bills, health insurance and medical co-payments prescriptions, hospital lodging costs, transportation to and from medical treatments and so much more. Since 1978, Friends of Karen has been providing emotional, financial and advocacy support for children with a life-threatening illness and their families in order to keep them stable, functioning and able to cope. The organization has helped more than 12,400 children in the New York tri-state region.
“The compassion and support for the work we do is true testament of humanity,” said Nancy Mariano, Regional Director of Friends of Karen. “First Data’s involvement and philanthropic efforts go to the core of helping families in our communities. This family’s story is one hundreds of heartwarming ones that we like to share to encourage others to join our team. When we all cross that finish line together it is a joyful moment – for Jake, for Luke and all of our Friends of Karen children and families we help every day.”
For more information on the Walk-Run for Friends of Karen at the Long Island Marathon, slated for May 4 and 5 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, please contact patriciaconway@friendsofkaren.org or at 631.473.1768, ext. 303.
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Friends of Karen began in 1978 when family friends came to the aid of a couple and their 16-year-old daughter, Karen, who was terminally ill. A fund-raising campaign for medical and other costs enabled Karen to spend her precious last days at home surrounded by loving family and friends. More than 35 years later, Friends of Karen has expanded to a tri-state children’s charity that serves families with a child from birth to 21 who are diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness. Last year, 1,375 children benefitted from Friends of Karen’s services.
jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com Appears In: Press Releases
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