The Honeysuckle Foundation for Children with Cancer is an organization dedicated to improving the quality-of-life for children diagnosed with cancer.

It is the goal of the Foundation to assist these children and their families by providing direct financial support for expenses related to cancer treatment.

Provide resources as incentives for children undergoing chemotherapy and various medical procedures.

Fund educational programs for school personnel and students to increase understanding of the disease and encourage social support for the patient both during treatment and post-treatment.

The Honeysuckle Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, was formed by the Giacalone Family in 2002 while their youngest daughter was battling bone cancer. Through the kindness and concern of family, friends and neighbors, it became evident early on in this ordeal that the family's "support network" was just as important as their daughter's medical treatment. With other siblings to be concerned about, focus on schoolwork, activities and general household maintenance required careful consideration and balance. This family was able to get through an emotionally and physically demanding year while still enjoying a high quality of life - a luxury many healthy families, let alone cancer families, find difficult to achieve.

From this experience was born the idea of establishing the Honeysuckle Foundation to assist cancer patients and their families in their time of need ... providing such things as ordinary as cooked meals or housecleaning services that offer some relief to parents who are busy with hospital stays, doctor's visits and treatment sessions.

Working in association with the Pediatric Oncology Division at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, families needing assistance will be identified on a case-by-case basis.

Of course this organization is only as strong as its supporters. Our goal is to solicit the efforts of individuals, corporations, schools and other not-for-profits willing to commit time and resources to this cause. From the lone individual donation to the cupcake sale hosted by the Student Council ... from the local business to the corporate boardroom, all will have the opportunity to reap the benefits of giving or the personal fulfillment of involvement.

The Foundation is especially interested in assisting the siblings of cancer patients as they are faced with the possible loss of their brother or sister. They too need to know that they are extremely important and not forgotten. Whether it's a day of pizza and bowling with a group of friends or an informational visit by the hospital staff with their school classmates and teachers, it is imperative that everyone having contact with these children know how incredibly vulnerable they are.

Another priority of the Foundation is to offer the parents of children battling cancer an opportunity to communicate with each other without the distraction of treatment and related issues. Whether it's an afternoon of golf or a nice dinner for two, parents also need tender loving care. The time necessary to get re-energized and re-focused is essential to being able to cope with a potentially grueling and exhausting treatment schedule.