Two sisters helping fund Valerie Fund Children’s Center with fun

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.
Long Branch — It is always sad when we hear of someone stricken with cancer, especially a child.
Luckily in our area, Monmouth Medical Center is home to The Unterberg Children’s Hospital, which houses The Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. It is one of New Jersey’s largest academic medical centers and has a teaching affiliate Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine.

Standing in the middle of a room full of children from the Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is Carol Stillwell, who sponsors the annual Christmas Party and the Beach Party for the children. Last week was the Beach Party at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch.

Also lucky are two sisters who have made it their goal in life to bring joy and happiness to those little soldiers. Carol Stillwell and Mary Ann Larkin sponsor the Valerie Fund Children’s Center Christmas Party in December and a Beach Party in July.
It is a stressful time battling a life threating disorder, and those children miss many everyday occurrences that most people take
“Carol and her sister Mary Ann are just two saints. For the past seven years they have sponsored both our parties,” said Susan Zulzak, Clinic Director. “What is so amazing is that there is never any doubt from them, as to “why wouldn’t we sponsor the parties?’”

Stillwell, who is the president of a large heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, said that having money is a privilege and it’s an honor to donate and help children in need.

“Growing up we came from a very poor family. Our mother was a waitress and our dad was a mason,” said Stillwell.
But we didn’t know we were poor,” added Larkin. “Mom and dad did whatever they had to so we had food and clothes and we were happy.”

Larkin also wanted people to know that her sister is very, very generous with her money. “She donates more than fifty cents of every dollar she makes to various children’s charities.”

“I used to tell my late husband all I need is a room with a TV, clicker and a cooler for my wine and I will be happy,” said Stillwell with a smile. With the thousands of people she and her sister have helped over the years, it should not be hard for her to find a room if it ever came down to that.

When people look at Carol and Mary Ann they see two women with means that have the ability to help. However, what they don’t see are the pain and suffering they have each endured. Within 18 months the two sisters lost their mother, father, uncle and husbands.

“It was a very difficult period for us. And then Mary Ann was diagnosed with colon cancer,” said Stillwell. Ironically, they were at a cancer fundraiser ball and one of the leading cancer doctors told Mary Ann he didn’t like the way she looked and asked if she felt okay.

“I had no symptoms, but I was a little tired,” said Larkin. She went to see the doctor two days later, and then within eight days was on the operating table having surgery. “It just goes to show you that cancer will strike anyone at any time. I was strong because I believed in my doctors and I am now two years cancer free.”

The sisters were at the Ocean Place last week to host the annual Beach Party for the children.

“Look at their faces. These are all our children; they are laughing, playing and enjoying themselves. The doctors, nurses and staff get a chance to come out and have a day of fun with the children,” said Stillwell. She added that it is also a day for the parents and siblings to relax and enjoy themselves, as the stress of the disease wears on them as well.