Here's my column in today's Daily News. Please feel free to add your own suggestions of worthy institutions in comments.
WE'RE fortunate in Philadelphia to have some of the finest institutions in the world.
One is Children's Hospital, long considered one of the best pediatric hospitals anywhere. But for all the great work they do, they cannot do everything.
One amazing charity is helping Children's Hospital - and many others - fill the gaps.
The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation enables single parents of children with life-threatening illnesses to care for their children full time by relieving financial burdens when other resources are exhausted or unavailable.
Roughly eight in 10 couples separate or divorce once it's determined that their child suffers a life-threatening or catastrophic chronic illness.
Almost always, mothers become the single caregivers.
Think about that. For every 100 children with a catastrophic illness, about 78 mothers will get divorced and have to care for that child alone.
This puts single mothers in a nightmarish predicament. If they choose not to work so they can care for their dying child, they can't pay their bills. If they do work, they face the prospect of not being there for their child in their most trying times.
Valerie Sobel, who created the foundation, knows the pain parents with sick children endure. Her son, Andre, for whom the charity is named, died of a brain tumor. Within a year, her husband took his own life.
While Valerie could have shrunk from the world, she used her experience to help others, by starting the foundation.
Here's a typical case they've handled:
A 17-year-old was diagnosed two years ago with leukemia. The mom is single with one other child, and the father isn't paying child support.
The child's treatment is complicated, necessitating experimental treatments. The mother was also recently diagnosed with cancer and is unable to work. The family is experiencing great emotional and financial stress.
To date, the foundation has given this woman about $3,000 to help with her housing, utilities, insurance, groceries and other expenses.
The foundation, in its third year of providing help to single parents with kids at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, also gives a major grant to the hospital each year of $25,000, which the hospital matches.
Through partnership with other hospitals, and through direct assistance, Valerie Sobel has touched the lives of thousands of single parents who thought hope was lost.
In most cases, aid is given within 24 hours - an extraordinary feat, which makes this such a special charity.
For more information, and to donate to the Foundation, visit www.AndreRiverofLife.org.
Comments (2)
Tell Charlie, Kurek says hi and I hope all is well
Posted by: Tom Kurek on November 13, 2007 15:07
also tell Charlie, His cousing Waterman says hi
Posted by: Kevin Waterman on November 13, 2007 15:28