National Honor Society members are helping children with serious illnesses by organizing a registration drive for a June 5K for a childhood cancer and blood disease charity, The Valerie Fund.

The walk and run will be held on June 9 at Verona Park at a new 5K race course, which the nonprofit has advertised as accessible for all levels of walkers and runners because of its record flatness. Registration for the 5K race will open at 7 a.m. and for the walk at 8:30 a.m.

Runners are required to pay a minimum of 45 dollars and walkers must pay a minimum of 35 dollars, although participants are encouraged to raise as much money as possible. People can collect sponsorships from friends, neighbors and co-workers. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, entertainment, giveaways and T-shirts.

Students are excited to be able to contribute to The Valerie Fund.

“It’s a great cause and people should show their support,” junior and NHS member Julia Parzecki said.

The Valerie Fund was created in 1976 by Ed and Sue Goldstein in honor of their  9-year-old daughter who lost her life to cancer. The organization supports the health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.

Starting from one single family, The Valerie Fund now has seven Children’s Centers, located in hospitals in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The fund hosts more than 6,000 patients annually and it claims to have the largest network of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Jersey, a well as one of the largest centers for the cause in the nation. The Valerie Fund allows children to receive high-quality care with state-of-the-art pediatric outpatient treatment, without traveling too far from home.

While The Valerie Fund primarily focuses on medical treatment, it also emphasizes the importance of providing positive environments for patients. The organization designed its centers to be child-friendly with playrooms that allow children to learn about their illnesses.

The Valerie Fund is relying on money raised by the community to help patients. All of the proceeds from the walk and 5K run will allow the organization to continue providing comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders.

According to The Valerie Fund website, the organization aims to spread the message to the community that “every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at the Valerie Fund Centers.” Their philosophy is that “to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.”

For more information about The Valerie Fund, or to register for the 5k, visit https://www.thevaleriefund.org/