
“HFFF is making wonderful things happen for kids and adults going through what is probably the
most difficult struggle they will ever face.” —Social Worker, Beth Israel Medical Center
Virtually every American family has been affected by cancer. One out of three people in the United States will get cancer, and in certain areas the statistics are even higher. Cancer does not discriminate by social standing, ethnicity or sex, and sadly many children are affected as well.
“Your assistance has reduced the stress experienced by our patients and their families, and has
eased their financial burden.” —Social Worker, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
The HFFF program is designed to help families of pediatric cancer patients come to
NYC to obtain the best possible care. We help to alleviate one part of the cancer-care
ordeal by providing a complimentary, New York City hotel room where family and friends
may rest, relax and have a good night's sleep.
HFFF cares about the health and well-being of the family and friends of pediatric cancer
patients, as well as about the patients themselves. We know that decreased stress and
the support of loved ones greatly increases a patient’s chances of recovery. And when
children must remain in the city for prolonged treatment, visits from family and friends
bring great joy, promote well-being, and speed the psychological as well as the physical
healing process.
“…you made us feel like there are people in this world that give a helping
hand to others.” —
Mother of Cancer Patient
HFFF was founded as a not-for-profit organization in 1999 by Herman Kotler, a New
York entrepreneur who survived an arduous bout with cancer. While undergoing
treatment, Mr. Kotler encountered many patients who could not afford to have loved
ones with them in New York City. As a longtime veteran of the hospitality industry, Mr.
Kotler decided to create HFFF and change this painful predicament. More than 25 years
later, he remains actively involved as Chairman of the Board.
Since its founding, HFFF has worked with grateful patients and families and dozens of NYC hotels. The Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) is
among our enthusiastic supporters. Our hotel partners, who generously furnish unused
rooms, are never operationally inconvenienced or burdened. We also work with
cancer center social workers, who determine financial need and connect patients and families
with our services. We now seek to expand our successful model to help many more
families.
"When you see a child looking frail from chemotherapy and wearing a wig, it has a big
impact," said the VP of a major NYC hotel. "Helping to ease the weight of the family's
ordeal, if only for a night or two, is such a good feeling." |