Barry Kirschner has served as Executive Director of The Valerie Fund since October 20003.  He was a member of their Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2003 and was first introduced to The Valerie Fund during his career as a fixed income trader in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

The Valerie Fund, based out of Maplewood, N.J. was founded in 1976 by Ed and Sue Goldstein after they lost their 9-year-old daughter Valerie to cancer.  They were determined to help other families get the highest quality of care close to home, which was not available to them during the six years of Valerie’s treatment.  Since 1976, The Valerie Fund has partnered with hospitals in the NJ, NY and Philadelphia region to support 8 hospital-based Valerie Fund Children’s Centers treating over 6,500 children fighting cancer and blood disorders each year.  They also operate Camp Happy Times, a free summer camp for children touched by cancer.  Finally, they have a scholarship program for their young adult patients as well as an emergency fund for families with children treated at their centers.