This year, the Tomorrows Children’s Fund (TCF) marks 25 years of dedicated service to thousands of children and families in their fight against cancer or serious blood disorders. The foundation began simply – with 16 parents who turned to each other for support during a very difficult time in their lives.
In 1982, their dream became the Tomorrows Children’s Fund. Five years later, the Tomorrows Children’s Institute (TCI) for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) was created with financial support of the TCF. Since its establishment in 1987, TCI has grown to be New Jersey’s premier pediatric center for diagnosis and treatment and clinical research of cancer and blood disorders, as well as providing for the psychosocial needs of their patients and families. Both TCF and TCI are located in the DON IMUS-WFAN Pediatric Center for Tomorrows Children at HUMC, part of The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. TCF funds activities for emotional, social, and financial assistance to youngsters being treated at HUMC, as well as funding for research.
To celebrate the anniversaries as well as the special partnership with HUMC, TCF and TCI recently hosted Kids in Koncert, Then and Now. The program was just one example of the many special programs the fund provides for its patients and families. Every year, more than 1,000 children turn to the fund for support, and more and more of them are winning their battles. Despite many happy endings, too many lives are still being claimed by these devastating diseases. HUMC continues to hope to conquer these illnesses and provide every child with a cure and a promise of many healthy, happy tomorrows.
The concert included a parade of children carrying a handmade banner, a concert band, and more than eight performances by patients and staff, organized by musical director Suzannah Scott-Moncrieff of Queens, NY, a music therapist at TCI. A slide show of patients, then and now, was also presented. Welcoming remarks were made by Michael B. Harris, M.D., of Englewood, director of TCI; Lynn Hoffman of Parsippany, executive director of TCF; Jeffrey R. Boscamp, M.D., of Tenafly, chairman and physician-in-chief of The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital; and Christopher Fallon, survivor.
“There is so much to reflect upon today, it brings love into my heart,” said Dr. Harris. “We are very proud of what has been accomplished so far with the constant support of John P. Ferguson, our president and chief executive officer.” “All we knew initially was that we wanted to make a difference in the children’s lives,” said Lynn Hoffman of Parsippany, executive director of TCF. “I am very grateful to acknowledge Don Imus for having put us on the map, and thank all of our staff, because we still have a dream.”
“It gives me goosebumps to look at this special audience, it is powerful to know how many families have been saved,” said Dr. Boscamp. “Thanks to Dr. Harris’ clear vision, Mr. Ferguson’s dedication and support, and Ms. Hoffman’s initiatives, great things have been done by this group who planted a seed that lead us to today’s children’s hospital.”
“I had to be here today to celebrate these milestones – what a journey it has been,” said Mr. Fallon. “I remember being diagnosed like it was yesterday. Today, I am 28-years-old, and am still attending the TCF Picnic annually. One never wants to be here, but if you are diagnosed, this is one of the best places you could ever come to.”
Additionally, an Art Therapy Exhibit featuring artwork by patients assembled by Maureen McLaughlin of Hawthorne, Child Life specialist/Creative Art therapist, was on display for almost two weeks in the atrium of the DON IMUS-WFAN Pediatric Center for Tomorrows Children.
HUMC is a full-voting member in the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the non-profit association that speaks on behalf of children's health needs and their caregivers. NACHRI is the foremost
organization in the nation for children's hospitals. New York magazine ranked HUMC as a Best Hospital for Pediatrics, as well as being one of the Top 10 Overall Best Hospitals. In fact, HUMC is the only New Jersey hospital to receive a ranking on the Overall Best Hospitals list.
The Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, a 300,000-square-foot building, is home to The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, The Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, and The Mark Messier Skyway for Tomorrows Children.
To learn more about the medical center, please visit www.humc.com.
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