Executive Director Friends of Karen North Salem, NY www.friendsofkaren.org   Friends of Karen is a lifeline of support for families in the New York Tri-State, providing emotional, financial, and advocacy support for families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness. Founded in 1978 after Sheila Petersen wanted to sustain her close friend’s daughter Karen MacInnes through devastating illness, the organization has grown to provide transformational and life-changing support for an average of 300 children and families per month, ensuring that families and children have what they need to cope, stabilize, and function.   Friend