The heart of our mission lies in the people we help
The stories of those our Foundation helps serve as a powerful reminder of the difference we can make together. Read their testimonials to witness how your generosity is driving real, lasting change. Each voice represents a life touched by your support, and we invite you to continue this vital work with us.
Jean Breconidge
Jakai Fullerton
I want to thank you for the wonderful donations that you have given to us for our children. It is so amazing to see people caring for kids in need and for families that are less fortunate to provide gifts for kids. Everything you are doing is appreciated so much. Thank you again and Happy Holiday’s
Elizabeth McGovern, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
I currently work on the inpatient hem-onc floor here at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore. I can personally say that the Chemo Ducks have made a positive impact for our younger patients going through the process of getting a line and then chemotherapy. I always pull one out of storage in the beginning of their diagnosis so they can have a friend during this difficult process. I have had patients keep their duck close during their hospital stay, naming their duck, and really taking ownership of it. I find it is a great teaching tool and a simple way of showing the patient how they will be receiving their medicine. I personally find the packaging and coloring book that comes with awesome!
Lauren Sharaby, MS, CCLS
Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Stony Brook Children's Hospital
Thank you so much for your generous donation of toys and crafts this holiday season. Our patients absolutely loved the great gifts you sent! The cheerful holiday crafts made being here for chemotherapy and doctor visits more bearable. As you may know, being sick around the holidays is never fun, but for the children who received your gifts, it suddenly became more enjoyable. At a time when families are faced with both emotional and economic challenges during a medical crisis, your support made both my patients & their families feel an uplifting sense of normalcy, and for that I am extremely grateful. On behalf of the children you sponsored this holiday season (who benefited greatly from your generosity), I extend a truly warm thank you. Your kind gesture is appreciated.
By choosing our Child Life Program to be the focus of your donation efforts, you not only help us out in a truly worthwhile fashion but also spread awareness about the psychosocial needs of children and families affected by illness. The Child Life Program seeks to provide psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families. By providing our patients with age-appropriate education, emotional support and therapeutic recreation, we can facilitate their adjustment to the hospital and enhance their coping skills in the medical setting.
The Child Life Program here at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital is extremely grateful to receive donations from individuals and businesses in the Long Island community and beyond. Because our program has a very limited budget, the donations we receive enable us to keep our program viable for our patients
Until a CURE!
Jenn Coviello, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian
We absolutely love the chemo ducks. They help so much by giving our patients an opportunity to learn about their treatment through play. They are amazing when we need to show our kids a non-threatening image of a medical line (broviac,port, picc) that they will be having placed and allow them to touch, feel and play with the duck to gain a better level of understanding. Some of our patients take them along as companions throughout their appointments and overnight stays in the hospital. We appreciate them so much!
Denise Velazquez, LCSW
Katie Adelhardt Roche, CCLS
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
The annual generous donation from Sarah Grace once again brought an abundance of joy to our families at CHAM. Our families can often feel overwhelmed trying to bring the holiday magic to their child who is hospitalized. With your support, numerous families were able to help return the smile to their child's face with countless toys and crafts. One mom cried tears of joy when a baby doll was found in your donation because it was "exactly what her daughter has wished for! Thank you for all your endless support and the countless smiles you have brought this holiday season! Thank you for continuing to stock our book cart as well as providing arts and craft items and Chemo Duck.
Laura Weber, LCSW
Senior Pediatric Oncology Social Worker
Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone
Sarah Grace has been such a valued support to the patients/families in our children's hospital. One way they help is by providing gift cards for food, clothing and daily incidentals. These gift cards are a bridge used to help families get through some very difficult financial tight times. The cards give the family the chance to purchase what they need, take a breath, and have extra time to accomplish the tasks needed to plan for longer term sustainability.
-From a recipient’s mother:
The Sarah Grace Foundation helped me provide my child with the fruits that he wants to eat. They are very expensive, and I wanted to give him what he is willing to eat since it is so hard for him. God bless the foundation.”
Danielle Davis, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Hematology/Oncology / BMT
Cohen Children's Medical Center of NY
Just wanted to let you know we have a very excited boy who will be going to the Mets game next Wednesday evening with his family thanks to Sarah Grace Foundation generosity! When I offered the family the tickets that you had sent over his eyes just lit up and it was the first time I had seen him smile all day. We appreciate so much everything you do for our patients and families here. Thanks.
Nancy Morreale, LCSW
Division Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
NYU Langone Cancer Center For Kids
I got another box of backpacks today! Thank you so much. We had gotten some other backpacks from another organization (that were just plain) but yours are so cute and filled with such nice things. They are special and what the kids want! Thank you so much!!
Samantha Sherman, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist
Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Cohen Children's Medical Center of NY
Just wanted to let you know how much the sporting tickets mean to our families…. I gave the Jets tickets to a teenage boy who was an avid football player until he was diagnosed with cancer. I had him in mind as soon as I received those tickets and surprised him with them today. Mom cried outwardly, and the patient could not stop thanking me. So THANK YOU for once again allowing us to spread some cheer to our patients. Additionally, thank you for giving Chemo Duck which is given to caregivers, giving them the courage to have honest conversations and meaningful play with their children and to the kids giving them the opportunity for self-expression and mastery over their cancer diagnosis and treatment. The child may be the one diagnosed with cancer, but the family heals together with the help of the Chemo Duck.
