Warren's Ed and Sue Goldstein Receive Governor's Jefferson Award

Ed and Sue Goldstein of Warren turned the tragic loss of their daughter into a name synonymous with first-rate care for children with cancer with The Valerie Fund.

In recognition of their efforts, the state's highest honor for volunteers, the Governor's Jefferson Awards for Public Service, was presented to the couple at a June 4 banquet at the Newark Museum.

The Goldsteins received the award for the BD Health Care Individuals category, and during the ceremony, were recognized for creating "the concept of treating and healing the whole child and family."

"They intuitively understood that integrating medical care and social services would help families navigate the painful journey from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up," the award's program notes. "Today, there are seven not-for-profit Valerie fund centers located in New Jersey, New York and metropolitan Philadelphia."

Warren residents are familiar with the work of The Valerie Fund—not only through local residents who have benefitted from treatments received at Valerie Fund-supported medical centers, but also from the township's commitment to raise $100,000 for the fund in 2012, one of Mayor Carolann Garafola's signature projects of the year. 

The Township Committee took note of the couple's award and presented a township proclamation to the Goldsteins at its June 13 meeting, where Garafola was overcome with emotion as she read the proclamation.

"We worked very hard to make the Valerie Fund as widely used as possible," Sue Goldstein said after receiving the proclamation.

Ed Goldstein noted the fund also supports camps, where children diagnosed with cancer can enjoy a break from treatment routines and stress and relax with others, as well as counselors understanding of the challenges they're going through.

"It's amazing the support that we get," he said. "There's no rewards except the satisfaction we get."