On April 20, Founder of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, Peggy Dolan, visited Arcadia University to tell her story to Genetic Counseling students. Dolan talked about how her experiences caring for her daughter, and those shared by their “hospital neighbors,” inspired the foundation.

The Ambler-based organization, which began in 1976 after the death of the six-year-old Kelly Anne Dolan from leukemia, advocates for families with seriously ill, disabled, or injured children nationwide through information and education. Additionally, in the Tri-State area, the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund helps support these families for bills and supplies that insurance doesn’t cover.

“It was a great discussion about the things we may not think of when a family has a child with a genetic or chronic condition,” said Sarah Jennings ’17. “The visit opened our eyes to the non-medical struggles families can have and how we can help them prepare as well as getting in contact with great organizations and supports such as this one.”

Dolan visited shortly after the Genetic Counseling students hosted the 11th annual Bowl-a-Thon for the fund on April 9. The Bowl-a-Thon raised $1,200 for the organization through the purchase of bowling games and raffle tickets.