Distinguished Awards to be Presented at Friends of Karen Long Island Gala
Benefits Children with Cancer and Other Life-Threatening Illnesses
By Rebecca Mowl
Friends of Karen will host their annual Long Island Gala on Friday, March 24th at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown, NY. The event will honor Dr. Jeffrey Lipton, with the Friends of Karen Humanitarian Award and The Reisert Family Foundation, with be presented with the Sheila W. Petersen Award.
Friends of Karen provides emotional, financial and advocacy support, at no cost, to families caring for a child with cancer or another life-threatening illness in the NY tri-state area to ensure that families never have to make this difficult journey alone.
“Our outcomes are unquestionably enhanced by the support our patients receive from Friends of Karen.” – Dr. Jeffrey Lipton
Dr. Jeffrey Lipton, Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Cohen’s Medical Center. Dr. Lipton is being honored for his outstanding career of advancing science and his extensive research in hematology and stem cell transplantation. He has changed the lives of many patients. Dr. Lipton has been an invaluable addition to the Friends of Karen Long Island Advisory Board where he shares his knowledge and experience that provide an insight into Cancer trends and needs.
The Reisert Family Foundation has helped support direct services to Friends of Karen’s children and their families. Deanna Reisert is a Long Island Advisory Board member for the organization and has engaged her entire family to join their efforts.
“When a child is sick, they deserve to have their parents by their side. Friends of Karen helps make that possible by taking care of everything else.” – The Reisert Family Foundation
For sponsorship and ticket information or to learn more about Friends of Karen, visit www.friendsofkaren.org or call Rebecca Mowl at 631.473.1768 ext. 303.
Friends of Karen began in 1978 when one neighbor, Sheila Petersen, came to the aid of a couple and their 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. 39 years later, Friends of Karen has expanded to a NY tri-state children’s charity that serves children from birth through age 21 who are diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness. To date, nearly 15,000 children and their families have benefited from Friends of Karen’s services.