Children’s Medical Fund of New York (CMFNY) was created forty years ago by a group of concerned mothers and fathers who had seriously ill children but had to travel outside the metropolitan area to seek treatment.   These parents advanced the cause for a hospital to be built, won the legislative authorization and helped Schneider Children’s Hospital open its doors in 1983.  Today, this volunteer driven, nonprofit organization remains the largest contributor of this nationally top-ranked hospital devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and research related to seriously ill children.  To date, CMFNY has raised over 40 million dollars to help, build, equip and secure on-going funding for programs at are vital to the needs of seriously ill children and their families. 

The Bob Coletti Memorial Fund has supported CMF’s mission since 1994.  To date, we have received $91,000 from The Bob Coletti Memorial Fund in support of our Child Life Program. 

The Child Life Program was created to help children and families cope with a hospital experience.  Designed for inpatients and outpatients, Child Life aims to minimize the stress often associated with illness or injury, to enhance normal patterns of living, and to promote the child’s optimum growth and development.  A specially trained Child Life Specialist participates on the hospitals’ multi-disciplinary health care team.  The Child Life Specialists help children continue normal development, as well as to recuperate from the emotional & physical effects of illness. They help children learn about the hospital, provide therapeutic play and support children through medical procedures. 

We are extremely grateful to The Bob Coletti Memorial Fund for their continued support and generosity.  They have enabled us to provide the best care available to seriously ill children and their families.