Allentown, PA – October 9, 2023 – Doug Sheriff, president of the Angel 34 Foundation, announced today that the charity organization, whose mission is to support children with cancer and to insure that they have an angel watching over them, will be ceasing operations after 20 years of serving the Lehigh Valley and surrounding community.  The foundation was started in 2003 by Nicole Sheriff, then a 14 year-old receiving cancer treatments and looking for a way to help other young patients deal with the challenges involved in fighting this terrible disease.

Nicole strongly believed that, “We are all Angels in disguise with God-given talents to make a difference in the lives of others who are less fortunate.” Her first task was to get ICEE machines into the treatment centers to help soothe the burning feelings brought on by chemotherapy.  From there, the organization grew into a regional powerhouse, ultimately donating services, support and funding valued at more than 10 million dollars to families, hospitals, research centers and more over the past 20 years.

Through a variety of programs including Derek’s Camp Flip Flop, Angel Cuisine, Angel Warriors and many others, Angel 34 Foundation has helped bring normalcy to the lives of thousands of pediatric cancer patients and has aided families financially to help offset medical costs that can often be devastating.  Unfortunately, Nicole lost her battle with cancer in 2004, but her legacy has lived on through the foundation.

“Nicole would have been 34 years old this year, and we feel that this is an appropriate time to bring this chapter to a close,” commented Mr. Sheriff, who is Nicole’s father and president of the organization.  “Her mother and I, along with our dedicated board of directors have come to this difficult decision after a lot of soul searching.  We feel comfortable in this decision because we see the impact that Nicole has had, and the number of other organizations that have been inspired by her compassion and generosity.  We all agree that now is the time, and we are so thankful for everyone who has supported Nicole’s legacy for the past two decades.”

Through an agreement with the organization Dream Come True, funds remaining in Angel 34 accounts will be donated to this partner and earmarked to fulfill dreams of children battling cancer.  “We feel that this is an appropriate use of the funds, since it will support our daughter’s original vision and we can still help bring some light to children who are suffering,” commented Linda Sheriff, Nicole’s mother and vice president of Angel 34 Foundation.

More information is available at Angel34.org.  The foundation will discontinue fundraising efforts immediately and dedicate the remainder of 2023 to making the transition and shuttering the organization.

Information provided to TVL by:
Angel 34 Foundation
Jim Macdonald