Friends for Life of America is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that encourages students, community members, and corporate employees to make a difference through innovative programs that improve the quality of life for pediatric patients living with cancer.

After six-year-old Daniel Heidenberg lost his life to leukemia in December 1996, Steven Cohen started Friends for Life of America to honor the memory of this brave little boy and to help children all over the world who face similar diagnoses. In early 1997, a group of high school freshmen, led by Cohen, from the University School of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, joined together for the first official meeting of Friends for Life of America during a lunch period. For most of these students, Friends for Life of America provided an ideal opportunity for them to serve their community and to develop leadership skills. After only nine months at the University School, Friends for Life of America had raised over $5,000 for pediatric patients and their families. Through innovative signature programs like Hearts for the Holidays, Mile for a Child 5K, and Pizza for Patients, Friends for Life of America had become one of the most active charitable service groups in the school and in the community.

As Friends for Life of America members became more involved within the community, they began talking to their friends about the organization. Through word-of-mouth advertising, Friends for Life of America began to branch out to other high schools across the country. In 2000, Friends for Life of America expanded to the university-level by chartering the first post-secondary school chapter at the University of Florida. As more students found out about Friends for Life of America, organizational programs spread to high schools, colleges, universities, community agencies, and corporations across the country and around the world.

Over the past decade, Friends for Life of America has transformed into a global organization, touching the lives of pediatric cancer patients from Gainesville to Guatemala City, from Boston to Bangkok. Together, high school and college students have raised more than $100,000 to fund research grants, patient services, and community programs. Members have also sent holiday cards, hats, and teddy bears to patients undergoing cancer treatment in almost every state and in more than twenty countries.

The Friends for Life of America Board of Trustees conducts all business affairs. In addition to the national officers, student members maintain an active role in developing new programs and services. Members form committees to organize and promote campus activities, while working directly with their local executive boards to ensure quality programming.

Click here to read about the ten year anniversary of Friends for Life of America!