Tomorrows Children's Fund - Hackensack University Medical Center

It's a waking nightmare.

And it's precisely what sixteen special parents experienced when their sons and daughters were diagnosed with cancer or a serious blood disorders over twenty-five years ago.

Faced with the harsh reality of these terrible diseases and the desire to relieve their children's suffering, these remarkable people turned to one another for support. These parents were desperate for simple comforts for their children and themselves at the treatment center. Starting with small changes-books, toys and games to help alleviate the strain of treatment for little ones; coffee, comfortable seating and the solace of others to help reduce the stress for parents-they searched for ways to make each day a little brighter for the children and those who loved them. As their efforts grew, so did their strength. And in time, these parents, once strangers, became friends. Their helplessness, once overpowering, became hope. And their dream, once modest, became the Tomorrows Children's Fund, a privately funded, non-profit organization dedicated to easing the pain and speeding the healing of children with cancer and serious blood disorders.

From the beginning, the accomplishments of the Tomorrows Children's Fund exceeded even its biggest believers' expectations. And with these initial successes came an even more ambitious vision: to create a luminous and loving place where desperately ill children and their families could find hope, healing and happiness in the midst of their crisis.

That dream was realized with the opening of the DON IMUS - WFAN Pediatric Center for Tomorrows Children at Hackensack University Medical Center in 1994. This three story, leading-edge facility is home to the Tomorrows Children's Institute, New Jersey's premier center for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Today, it's where children from all walks of life come for compassionate, world-class medical care from an expert and comforting staff. Where little ones undergoing treatment often linger to finish an art project or learn another magic trick. Where teenagers pound pinball machines, enjoy music and master video games as hours formerly dreaded now move by quickly. Where parents share their hopes, fears and concerns with others who understand their pain.

And where the Tomorrows Children's Fund-steadfast in the conviction that even the most impossible dreams can come true-continues to hope for and work toward the day when every child is completely cured of these devastating diseases.

At the Tomorrows Children's Fund, we believe to accomplish great things, we must first dare to dream them. Then refuse to accept that they're impossible.

Create a world-class medical center? Build a state-of-the-art research facility? Ensure that no child, sibling or parent need face the crushing crisis of childhood cancer or a serious blood disorder alone? Some might have said these challenges were simply beyond our reach. Yet through the indomitable efforts of ordinary people, the unwavering commitment of expert physicians and the contributions of donors like you, we've achieved all this and more.

Consider some of the remarkable works brought about through the Tomorrows Children's Fund over the years:

• Tomorrows Children's Fund created a number of programs to assist patients and their families during these very difficult times. Rent, mortgages, utility bills and car payments are paid by Tomorrows Children's Fund to families who meet specific financial requirements. Many families face economic distress during this time, usually one parent may be forced to stop woking to care for their sick child, which means one less income, but the bills don't stop. That is where TCF steps in and helps ease the financial burden. The Financial Aid Program provides assistance to families in great financial need. During the first few months of treatment TCF will pay rent and household bills so parents can focus on helping their child.
• In 1987, the Tomorrows Children's Fund formed a partnership with Hackensack University Medical Center to provide our children with the very best possible care in a bright, modern and comfortable environment.

• 1994 brought the opening of the DON IMUS - WFAN Pediatric Center for Tomorrows Children, where the Tomorrows Children's Institute (TCI) state-of-the art outpatient treatment area is housed. This clinic and the TCI inpatient unit today comprise one of the largest, most comprehensive and respected programs in the state for children with cancer and serious blood disorders.

• The Cure and Beyond Program was unveiled in 1999 to manage the long-term issues that may be encountered by those who are two or more years past therapy in a warm environment apart from the medical center.

• The David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children opened its doors in January 2000, giving scientists all of the cutting-edge technology needed for laboratory research under one roof. Coupled with our already outstanding clinical and treatment programs, this world-class center enables ever more advanced research in our quest for a cure.

• The Sarkis Gabrellian Women's and Children's Pavilion, opened in 2005, includes the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, which houses the expanded inpatient unit and bone marrow transplant unit. The Children's Hospital is linked to the DON IMUS - WFAN Pediatric Center for Tomorrows Children via the Mark Messier Skyway for Tomorrows Children which has been transformed into a hockey fantasyland with Mark's greatest hockey memorabilia, games and a mini ice rink with synthetic floor for skating.

Together, these extraordinary accomplishments add up to greater hope and healing for children with cancer and blood disorders. Nevertheless, they're not enough. Though more children than ever are surviving long term without any physical signs of their illness, we will not rest until we achieve our ultimate goal.

That is, to provide all the resources necessary to conquer these devastating diseases and ensure the total cure that every child deserves.

We know it’s possible.

We dared to dream it yesterday. We pledge to work for it today.  And with your help, we’ll make it a reality for tomorrow’s children.