[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO FRIENDS OF KAREN

                                 ______


                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the great 
dedication and good work of a Purdys, NY-based organization called 
Friends of Karen.
  When Sheila Peterson heard that the 16-year-old daughter of her 
neighbor and friend was dying of Lafora's disease in 1978, she knew she 
had to help. Sheila petitioned the community to help her raise 
thousands of dollars in order to allow Karen to spend her remaining 
months at home. After young Karen passed away, it was apparent that the 
services performed for her and her family were desperately needed by 
many others, hence the formation of Friends of Karen.
  For the past 17 years, this organization has provided financial, 
emotional, and advocacy support for more than 1,000 catastrophically 
and terminally ill children and their families. Spending more than 
$500,000 a year on as many as 200 families, Friends of Karen spends 80 
cents out of every dollar directly on services to those in need. 
Administrative costs are kept down, by having 11 part-time employees 
and only one full-timer. In order to accomplish as much as they do, 
Friends of Karen relies on more than 100 dedicated volunteers.
  Social workers at Friends of Karen help families maximize their 
assistance from insurance plans, government programs, and related 
community agencies. They provide financial assistance for real life 
problems related to children's illness. This can include everything 
from transportation to and from medical treatment, to in-hospital 
expenses such as telephone, TV, parking, and meals for parents, to 
child care for siblings, and even to family bereavement support.
  Having served on the board of directors of Friends of Karen, I know 
first hand what a great organization this is. These are people who care 
deeply about the welfare of sick children and their families.
   Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have an organization like Friends of 
Karen in my community. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Friends of 
Karen for their commitment to the welfare of our children, and for the 
tremendous contribution they make to the quality of life in our 
community.

                          ____________________