PCFLV

Embracing the Journey with Local Pediatric Cancer Families

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV) is a local non-profit providing free and unique programming and services to local kids with cancer and their families. Established in 2003 by a local cancer Mom, PCFLV’s mission is to embrace the pediatric cancer journey alongside children and their families, moving forward as a community with love, hope and smiles. PCFLV supports at diagnosis, encourages during treatment, empowers in survivorship, and, in the event that a child passes away, they comfort throughout bereavement.

Run by a small staff of three full-time employees

and one part-time employee, PCFLV serves any family who lives within a 50-mile radius of the PCFLV office. About 50 percent of those families are treated at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, while the other 50 percent receive treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

“We help any family in our geographical radius, regardless of where they receive treatment,” explains Michelle Zenie, the Executive Director of PCFLV and also a cancer mom. Zenie’s son was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3. “PCFLV’s mission is to provide assistance and opportunities for local pediatric cancer families. We help with the here and now needs of these families.”

PCFLV programs include: a college/trade school scholarship program that provides cancer warriors with a one-time, $3,000 scholarship; a bill-paying fund through Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital to assist with mortgage/rent payments or any other major bill; a Birthday Club, where each warrior and their siblings receive a birthday card and gift card each year until they reach the age of 18; Camp Smile, a one-week free day-camp for warriors and their siblings that includes art, theater, sports, swimming and more; a one-time house cleaning service for when an immune-compromised child comes home from the hospital; various events for kids, teens, moms and dads to allow the families to have some respite and also get to know other local families; twice-monthly Chemo Circus, where a PCFLV staffer visits the local oncology clinic and makes crafts with the kids, hands out toys, and provides lunch; monthly support groups for caregivers and bereaved parents; tickets to various sporting and entertainment events within the Lehigh Valley; a gift card program that distributes thousands of dollars’ worth of gas, grocery store, EZ Pass and hospital cafeteria gift cards each year; an Adopt-AFamily Holiday Program that distributes gift cards for Holiday gifts; monthly Caregiver Coffee, where a PCFLV staffer takes coffee and goodies to the local oncology clinic for staff and parents; a $1,000 end-of-life stipend when a child passes away; End of Treatment gifts for warriors when they complete their treatment; and much more.

These programs are designed to help local pediatric cancer families financially, socially and emotionally. To create a support community and network is a big part of the mission of PCFLV.

“We love that we are able to connect our families and we love to see when they form bonds with each other,” said Zenie. “No one but another pediatric parent or warrior really knows what this journey is all about. Having someone who is walking your same path to lean on is monumentally helpful.”

PCFLV is able to fund these amazing programs due to individual and corporate donations and also fundraising events. PCFLV hosts three main fundraising events each year: the Luau On The Links Golf Outing, the Ready, Set, GOLD 8k Run/5k Walk, and the Hearts of Gold Gala. The Hearts of Gold Gala and Luau On The Links take place in the spring, and the Ready, Set, GOLD Run/ Walk is a September event. Registration for the 8k run/5k walk and the kid’s fun run is currently open for the Sept. 10th event. You can go to pcflv.org to find the registration link.

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and each September PCFLV hosts a campaign called 30 Days, 30 Stories®. This campaign introduces supporters each day to a local warrior. These are kids who are in treatment or in survivorship, and also highlights kids who have passed away. A photo accompanies each story, which is written either by the child, a parent or sometimes a grandparent. These heart-warming and impactful stories give just a glimpse into the life of a pediatric cancer warrior and family. This series can be found on the PCFLV website (pcflv.org) and also on PCFLV’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).

There are numerous ways for individuals and companies to get involved with PCFLV. They can make a monetary donation, they can sponsor an event, they can volunteer as an individual or group at a fundraising event, or they can even host their own fundraising event.

“We have so many opportunities for the community to jump in and get involved in our mission,” explained Tracy Stauffer, the Marketing, Community Relations and Development Coordinator for PCFLV. Stauffer is also a cancer mom. Her daughter was diagnosed at age 1 with brain and spinal cancer. “If anyone is interested in learning specifics on how to make a difference in the lives of our local warriors, they can call the PCFLV office at 484-221-9294.”