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Programs

Supporting Families, Fighting Cancer

At Hope & Heroes, we fund the most advanced research and treatments, and comprehensive care not covered by standard insurance plans. Using an integrated, family-focused approach, Hope & Heroes partners with medical professionals and social workers to help families navigate the complexities of childhood cancer care and ensure the best possible outcome for patients, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

The Hope & Heroes Special Needs Fund provides financial assistance based on individual needs. We work in collaboration with social workers from member institutions to ensure patients and their families get the help they need during tough times.

Thanks to our generous supporters, we also offer the following services free of charge, so every child has access to the comprehensive care they deserve.

THE ALFANO FAMILY ARTS IN MEDICINE STUDIO

The Alfano Family Arts in Medicine (AIM) Studio is an innovative arts program, first established at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in 2004. This program is the one of the first in the United States to bring creative arts into a hospital clinical setting. The AIM Studio strives to empower patients, families, and medical workers through artistic expression and play before and during the rigors of treatment.

“I am a big fan of this program. The children truly enjoy the art and crafts that the artists bring to the clinic. The project materials are colorful and varied so that the kids really are free and creative. All of “my kids” have a lot of fun with the activities, look forward to them, and are very much engaged in the activity.”

Cathy M.

(Pediatric Oncology Nurse)

“When my son needs to come to the oncology clinic, he is not happy. But when he has to come to the clinic on Thursdays—he smiles! He knows he will spend a good part of his time with the “arts and crafts” ladies! This art program makes the unbearable bearable. It makes coming to the clinic fun.”

Kim

(Patient Mom)

THE INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES PROGRAM

The Integrative Therapies Program offers acupuncture, aromatherapy, Reiki, meditation, yoga and other approaches to ease the side effects and stress of treatment.

SURVIVOR WELLNESS PROGRAM

The Survivor Wellness Program supports our patients in making post-treatment medical decisions, healthy lifestyle changes, and confronting side-effects and long-term quality of life issues.

THE VALERIE FUND PSYCHO-SOCIAL & PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM

The Valerie Fund Psycho-Social & Palliative Care Program provides counseling and offers support services that help families effectively manage their lives during a very stressful time.

Testimonials

A mother of an 8-year-old girl with spinal glioblastoma:

“Reiki (a stress reduction and relaxation technique) gives me a tool to help my daughter tolerate her therapy. At first, she thought I was trying some sort of “black magic” but now, every time she feels pain or is uncomfortable, she asks me to “do that thing with your hands.” She always says I make her feel better.”

A 16-year-old male patient with acute myeloid leukemia:

“My doctor told me I needed to gain some weight. The therapy had made me so skinny. Before I met with the nutritionist, I thought that if I ate pork and beef everyday I would gain weight back. It wasn’t until I met with the nutritionist that I realized I had it all wrong. Even if I did gain weight back, I was putting myself at higher risk for relapse.

A mother of a 7-year-old boy with a blood disorder:

“This program is a blessing. The work you all do is beyond a service to our children and families; it is a gift. I hold a master's in art therapy, and I can both professionally and personally testify to the healing power of this program.”

A foster mother of a 3-year-old diagnosed with M7 leukemia

“Thank you for creating the art space inside of the clinic. It is making a huge difference in her development. She is able to have calm time as she has been going through rough times growing up in foster system and with a serious medical condition.”

A mother of Hodgkin Disease survivor on their first visit to the Center for Survivor Wellness:

“They had an incredible binder waiting for us, full of all kinds of relevant information about our child and his treatment. We were just so impressed. As soon as we walked out, I made a donation to Hope & Heroes. The whole concept is amazing. The resources they offer are infinite and available to him for the rest of his life.”

A mother with an 18-month-old with neuroblastoma:

“Reiki brings peace and quiet time in a loud hospital and life. It is nice to sit and relax for a moment and help me heal my very sick baby.”

Your donations to Hope & Heroes directly support our mission to improve the lives of children with cancer and blood disorders.