09/09 The Nicholas Colby Fund brings a balance of support within the cancer community. LLS provides support to top notch researchers in hopes of finding cures and support to families of these children through financial aid and support groups.  But The Nicholas Colby Fund brings a real life positive outlet for kids and their families.  Those few hours away at a game or the circus or whatever activity provides and escape from the harsh realities of cancer treatment.  It's a real relief for these kids and great fun too.

Jennifer Fagerstrom, CFRE, Executive Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

11/09 The NCF has had a significantly positive impact on patients and families who have benefited from the various events and experiences offered by The NCF.  I’m not sure you can quantitatively measure the impacts unless you count the number of smiles, laughs and other displays of happiness portrayed by the patients and their families.  The Golden State Warriors have partnered with the organization numerous times throughout the Fund’s inception.  From holiday events, basketball clinics, special visits, Warrior player meet & greets and many other events, it is evident the joy and happiness that the families and patients receive from these experiences.  Even if the event is brief, the positive feedback from the event is longstanding which also equates to the immense impact it has on the patients and families.  I truly believe that laughter and happiness are the best medicine for these patients, especially in dire circumstances, which many of the kids face.  Without question, The NCF provides these kids and also their families with plenty of happy and laughing medicine!

Brian Laurila, Assistant Director, Business Development, Golden State Warriors

10/09 We have seen patients and families united by joy when able to attend events planned and supported by The Nicholas Colby Fund.  There was a family whose daughter was in treatment for her cancer and she loved, loved, loved the Disney Princesses.  The Nicholas Colby Fund arranged for her entire family to attend the Disney ice show- everything was planned around that day - Dad took time off from work, her sister and brother had time off from school and the hospital arranged a pass for the patient to attend.  Unfortunately at the last minute she spiked a fever and could not attend - you would think everyone would have been so disappointed but this little 4 year old hero, although very sad, was happy her sister and brother could go and loved the Princess T-shirt they brought back to her.  The Nicholas Colby Fund made all this happiness possible for her family and then the best of all, the next year; they didn't forget and made certain this little girl made it to the Disney Princesses on Ice.  Knowing this family had such loving support to provide such special experiences for her and her family is just one example of all the great experiences The Nicholas Colby Fund offers to so very many children and their families.

Rebecca Rice, Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital Oakland

10/09 The families absolutely LOVE attending the events put on/ or provided by the Nicholas Colby Foundation. Many of the families I work with would probably both have an opportunity to attend this sort of event if it wasn't for their child's circumstance (cancer diagnosis).

Tracy Jones, MSW, Oncology Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Oakland

10/09 The Nicholas Colby Funds events and experiences provide patients and their family members with the opportunity to do something that is not associated with the patient's disease.  When patients are diagnosed with cancer it takes over every aspect of the patients and family's life, all normalcy disappears.  These events provide patients and families with the opportunity to regain some normalcy and do something family oriented that has nothing to do with the disease, it's treatments, or its financial and emotional burden. These events give the patient and family an often much needed moment to get away from cancer / illness for a little while.  

Jake Lore, CTRS, Recreation Therapy/Child Life, Stanford – Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

10/09 The periodic updates I have received on the Fund's activities makes it so clear that the children and families that are touched by the programs benefit tremendously.

Robert McFarlane, Townsend & Townsend & Crew, LLP

((to follow))

Becky Higbee, Child Life, UCSF – Children’s Hospital