Friends for Life of America

Friends for Life of America firmly believes in supporting charitable organizations that improve the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families. During an annual forum, members recommend funding for special initiatives that are related to our organizational mission.

To submit a request for funding, please click here.

2006-2007
The Christy Fund

The goal of the Christy Fund is to ensure that funding will always be available for the Child Advocate position at the Nemours Children's Clinic. The Child Advocate brings smiles to children battling cancer by providing activities for kids enduring hours of clinic treatment, by visiting schools to help cancer kids re-assimilate, and by visiting terminal kids at home. She eases the ordeal for kids battling cancer. Friends for Life of America is proud to support this important fund to ensure that a Child Advocate continues to be available to support patients at the Nemours Children's Clinic.

2005-2006
Children's Cancer Caring Center

The Children's Cancer Caring Center is the only free pediatric oncology treatment center in the southeastern United States. The Center covers treatment costs for eligible patients from infancy through age 20, or until treatments are completed. The Center also sponsors group events throughout the year and assists with related expenses such as wigs for children who have lost their hair and transportation to and from the hospital. Our grant will enable the Center to support even more pediatric cancer patients in need of free medical care.

2004-2005 Villa la Paz Foundation
The Villa la Paz Foundation is a free pediatric clinic for underprivileged children in Chaclacayo, Peru. In 1983, Dr. Anthony Lazzara left his tenured position as the head of neonatology at Emory University's School of Medicine to set up the the clinic, which provides life-saving medical treatment to thousands of children. This year's Friends for Life of America grant will enable the Villa la Paz Foundation to serve the needs of Peruvian children living with cancer and cancer-related illnesses.
2003-2004 Camp Fiesta
Camp Fiesta is the official summer oncology camp of the Children's Cancer Caring Center. Each summer, fifty-five children from the Children's Cancer Caring Center and other affiliated hospitals enjoy nine days of fun-filled activities at Camp Fiesta. Friends for Life of America is proud to support Camp Fiesta's important mission by providing a grant to help the Camp serve more children with cancer.
2002-2003 The American Cancer Society Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge
Since 1986, the American Cancer Society's Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge has combined a home-like atmosphere with easy access to Gainesville medical centers for cancer patients who have traveled from out of town for treatment. All accommodations and services of the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge are free of charge to patients and caregivers. This service is made possible by private donations, including a recent grant from Friends for Life of America.
2001-2002
In honor of our Fifth Anniversary Celebration, Friends for Life of America awarded two very special grants.
The Boggy Creek Gang
The Boggy Creek Gang camping experience is more than a fun-filled getaway. The gang teaches children how to better cope with the day-to-day challenges they face, and offers educational and supportive programs to parents, siblings, and other family members. By helping pediatric patients fight the isolation which so often accompanies their disease, the Boggy Creek Gang encourages their hearts, builds their spirits, and strengthens their wills. To help defer the costs associated with running the camp, Friends for Life of America proudly awarded a grant that would help the Boggy Creek Gang purchase much needed supplies for its programs.
STOP! Children's Cancer
STOP! Children's Cancer is a Gainesville based organization committed to the prevention, control, and cure of cancer in children. Since its founding in 1981 by the Freeman family, it has been locally managed and dedicated to raising funds for basic research, research scholars, and research equipment. Friends for Life of America strongly supports the important efforts of this organization to fund cancer research for the Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
2000-2001 Gesundheit! Institute
Most noted for his attitude that "healing should be a loving human interchange, not a business transaction," Dr. Patch Adams founded the Gesundheit! Institute, a holistic medical institute that has been providing free medical care for patients since 1971. In support of the organization's efforts to bring fun, friendship, and the joy of service back into healthcare, Friends for Life of America began planning for Dr. Adams to visit the University of Florida. With assistance from ACCENT, Friends for Life of America proudly hosted a lecture at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on April 18, 2002, as part of our Fifth Anniversary Celebration.
1999-2000 Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
The Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital at Memorial provides medical care to children regardless of their ability to pay. Since this 140 bed pediatric center relies on private donations to fund the majority of its programs, Friends for Life America has donated more than $20,000 to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment. Our monetary and in-kind donations will enable the hospital to refurbish the pediatric teen room. In addition to covering the cost of repainting the room, our contributions will provide new furniture, two entertainment systems, and toys for the Friends for Life Student Organization Teen Room. Patients and their siblings will have the opportunity to utilize this room while staying at the hospital. The teen room will provide an ideal location for relaxation and diversion.
1998-1999 Make-A-Wish Foundation
Most children have plenty of time to fulfill their dreams as they grow up. But children diagnosed with terminal illnesses face a dramatically shortened lifespan. Luckily, these children can rely on the Make-A-Wish foundation to transform their dreams into realities. Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 66,000 wishes to children across the United States. By donating a "wish" to a pediatric leukemia patient, Friends for Life of America provided the monetary support needed for the dream to come true.
1997-1998 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors innovative scientists who are researching leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Blood-related cancer research ranges from exploring the latest tools of genomics (gene structure and function analysis) to translating basic discoveries into new treatments. Since research plays a vital role in improving the cure rates of leukemia and related cancers, Friends for Life of America has funded part of a Society-sponsored research grant. These grants allow researchers to utilize advanced technologies, such as DNA microarray chips, to diagnose and seek cures for leukemia.