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Friends Of Karen Celebrate Summer Soiree Gala In Purchase

The North Salem-based Friends of Karen, which supports critically-ill children and their families, held its annual Summer Soirée gala benefit recently at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase.

Former patients Mia and Sophia stand with honoree Dr. Adam Levy.

Former patients Mia and Sophia stand with honoree Dr. Adam Levy.

Photo Credit: contributed
Neil and Lydia Singer of Armonk were honored at the gala.

Neil and Lydia Singer of Armonk were honored at the gala.

Photo Credit: contributed

Dr. Adam Levy, co-director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, was honored with the organization's Humanitarian Award, in appreciation of his outstanding care of Friends of Karen children, Armonk couple Lydia and Neil Singer received the Sheila W. Petersen Award, named in honor of Friends of Karen's founder, in recognition of their leadership and service to the organization.

At the gala, two Friends of Karen mothers paid tribute to their children who were patients of Levy's.

 Sophia had been three years old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. During her treatment, her parents struggled emotionally and financially with caring for a child with a life-threatening illness, and her three siblings each reacted in different ways to the dramatic changes in their family life.

Sophia's family credits Friends of Karen with helping them through this crisis.

Mia, another Friends of Karen child who was Levy's patient, became very emotional when her mother, Cynthia, spoke of their cancer ordeal, how Levy saved her and how Friends of Karen was there to ease the family's stressful journey.

The event raised close to $300,000, which will benefit the hundreds of other children in the New York tri-state area who are battling a life-threatening illness and whose families turn to Friends of Karen every day.

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