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I am a mother. My beautiful daughter Carina died of leukemia in my arms.

I remember the doctor telling me her chances of survival were two percent. After this devastating news, I kept thinking, “What next? What do I do next?”

The only good thing that came of this is that when my daughter was dying, I did not have to move out of my house. The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation paid our rent for four months so that I could take leave from work to be with Carina. They paid for our electric, grocery and water bills, made my car payments and car registration so we could get to and from the hospital, and even bought meals at the hospital for my son and me. I understand that life gives us many blessings, and takes them away too. ASRL was a blessing.

~ Olga Acuna

I am a father. Money is tight when living paycheck to paycheck and fear of losing my son, my job, and our home was an unfortunate reality. Because of this Foundation, we still have our house.

More importantly, thanks to God we still have our beautiful son and family - and now a better job.

~Robert Benchek

I am a doctor. I bring my skills and technology to diagnose and heal a child and family whose nightmares now come in the daytime. When I prepare to give a grim diagnosis - especially to a single parent - it is one of the hardest parts of my job. We surround the family as best we can but in the back of my mind I know that in addition to the medical news, new burdens of travel, missed work, and strained relationships often lie ahead. The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation allows us to concentrate on healing, while knowing that these emotionally paralyzed, exhausted families have a place where they can turn.

~ Dr. Chris Landon

I am a teen survivor. When I was 16, I was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a frightening form of cancer.  During my two year illness, I learned about love from my mother’s unwavering strength and sacrifice. Because of her, I was not afraid to die; my biggest fear was dying alone.  Thanks to the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation, I did not have to worry about that.

They paid for our families’ living expenses so that my mother could stay with me when I was ill.  Now I am studying to become a pediatric oncologist and find cures for cancer.  I am giving it my best, thanks to help from Valerie Sobel and the ASRL Foundation.

~ Oscar Fernandez

I am andre’s mother. To lose a child is to become familiar with every station of the Golgotha.

Being helpless to protect my child from his illness or to save his life did not give me dreams of an inflated purpose for the mission of the organization that bears his name. I am satisfied with our realistic goal that allows a child to have a parent by his side when he most needs her.

I know the importance of this. I also know that money has the power and dares to interfere with freedom of choice. The injustice of this drives our work and attempts to right such an elemental wrong. To be able to financially soften the tragic journey for just one family would make me proud, but after 10 years I am humbled to say that we have been there for thousands. Ours is blessed work.

~ Valerie Sobel

News & Updates

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From The Jewish Journal

Read what Laura Stampler of the Jewish Journal has to say about us:

While many Angeleno families will be celebrating Father’s…

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Participate in Dedications 2 Dads Campaign

From June 8 to 28, honor your dad this Father’s Day with a gift that will have a real impact:…

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ASRL Launches New Website

ASRL is excited to announce the launch of its new website in June 2009.  Along with a complete overhaul to…


Provide cell phone minutes to keep parents connected with other family from their child’s bedside.

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Preserve the memory of friends, family and others who have been impacted by the loss of a terminally ill child.
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Case of the month

We received a cry for help on May 28, 2009, from a father in south…


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We work with volunteers of all ages and are interested in a variety of skills and talents that a volunteer can offer. Learn More