By Michael V. Cusenza

Howard Beach on Monday night helped the Allen family mark Valentina’s 3^rd birthday in familiar fashion: They trumpeted the remarkable spirit of the community’s adopted angel by raising funds for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Valentina Allen Heart to Heart Gala at Russo’s on the Bay was organized and produced by Phyllis Inserillo, who has led many fundraising efforts in Valentina’s name over the past year.

“I’ve seen the community come together before, but never like this,” Inserillo said. “We wanted to celebrate her life, celebrate all that she’s been doing since she’s been gone. She was such a special child who had a huge impact on anyone who knew her, loved her, or heard her story.”

Russo’s on the Bay hosted more than 300 guests who helped raise nearly $25,000 on Monday night. Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Approximately 300 guests helped raise nearly $25,000 on Monday, bringing the total raised over the past six months to roughly $35,000. Danielle and Ryan Allen, Valentina’s parents, will deliver a check for that amount to CHOP next Monday.

“I am overwhelmed,” said Dr. Robert Shaddy, chief of the Division of Cardiology at CHOP and one of many doctors who treated Valentina, in remarks at the gala. “I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never seen anything like [this turnout].”

Shaddy also highlighted the singular example that Danielle and Ryan have set.

“The courage that the Allens displayed as parents of this beautiful child with the most severe heart disease was both remarkable and inspirational,” he said.

“The sad reality is that this would have been [Valentina’s] 3^rd birthday; that part makes this somewhat upsetting,” Ryan Allen told The Forum. “But again, it is a fundraiser, and it is a celebration.”

Before leading the large banquet room in a toast to her “Valley Girl,” Danielle told her daughter how proud she was.

“You taught a family and a community to count your blessings and don’t sweat the small stuff,” she said.

michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

And then there are those parents who experience this unimaginable loss and yet miraculously find the will to get up in the mornings thereafter, who put their emotions aside not just to survive but to do good every single day, for hundreds if not thousands of others.

We said goodbye again this week to brave little Valentina Allen, who left us last year and who would have been three on Feb. 15. The gala in her honor that night was held at Russo’s On the Bay and raised approximately $25,000, with an additional $10,000 in separate donations, all going to benefit CHOP, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where Valentina’s surgeries were performed and where she eventually succumbed to her lifelong illness.

But it wasn’t only Valentina in this story whose courage inspires and who fought every day of her young life. Danielle and Ryan Allen are the young parent heroes whom she left behind. If it’s not obvious why the Allens are heroic to us, a few facts to consider: throughout Valentina’s illness and hence, the duration of her life, they raised money for CHOP and individual families, like theirs, who’d had to set up camp in Philly to be with their own sick children. They did so cheerfully, never letting Valentina’s setbacks impede their efforts on behalf of others less in a place, financially, to pay for surgeries and hospitalization. Ryan and Danielle remained strong for Valentina but also for their eldest daughter Victoria, now 4, who, like any big sister of a sick child, must have had and must still have her own challenges to face. And who, through it all, would need all the love and support the Allens had to give.

Everyone at The Forum has had a chance to meet Danielle and Ryan at some point along this journey, and whether in a private or more public setting, they are always the epitome of grace and warmth. We marvel at the miracle of their kept-up appearance as a couple – along with all the other marvel-worthy things – since we’re not sure if we could make it to the shower if we experienced what they have, let alone look like they just stepped from the pages of Attractive Couples magazine.

Another note: as we’ve already said, the Allens put others before themselves. At times the degree to which they’ve done so has almost been comical: Ryan actually apologized because he wasn’t able to spend more time with us at the Heart to Heart fundraising gala on Monday night. This would have been unnecessary if he were merely the event host. But he is also the father of a little girl who died, a girl who would have turned three years old that very day.

February happens to be American Heart Month. Whether you were fortunate enough to know Valentina or not, you or a loved one has probably been affected at some point by heart disease in its myriad forms. We hope that like us you will be inspired – to remain strong throughout adversity and perhaps to give – by the heartwarming, heart wrenching, and heart-of-gold example embodied by Danielle and Ryan Allen.

In an effort to show their appreciation for the Howard Beach community that has helped them channel their grief and sorrow over the past seven months, the grateful family of Valentina Marie Allen on Tuesday organized a holiday party at Roma View in Howard Beach.

Valentina captivated the community through her innate resolve to conquer hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital defect marked by a severely underdeveloped left ventricle.

Nearly 200 members of the Allens’ extended Team Valentina family filled the first room at Roma View Tuesday afternoon, dancing to Disney tunes, and lining up to have their faces painted as familiar red heart balloons anchored the dining tables.

Santa Claus also made an appearance and enjoyed the festivities.

“We reached out to anybody who did anything for Valentina,” said Maria Del Cielo, Valentina’s maternal grandmother. “This is our way of saying thank you and giving back to them.”

Since she passed away at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in May, myriad volunteers have organized fundraisers in Valentina’s name, with the proceeds going to directly to CHOP.

A cardiac intensive care unit room at the renowned pediatric hospital has been renamed in honor of this adopted Daughter of Howard Beach.

Valentina died on Tuesday, May 12, at 3:35 p.m. To mark the six-month anniversary on Nov. 12, mom Danielle, dad Ryan, and big sister Victoria, invited the community—especially children—to join their family outside their home to release those signature red, heart-shaped balloons into the atmosphere.

By Michael V. Cusenza   michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

Thank Heaven, for this little girl.

Last Thursday, Nov. 12, marked six months to the day that Valentina Marie Allen, the tenacious 2-year-old from Howard Beach, succumbed to the heart disease that had cast a pall over her brief life since she was in the womb.

Valentina suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare and complex congenital defect in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped; since it cannot effectively pump blood to the body, the right side of the heart must pull double duty and pump blood both to the lungs and to the rest of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“It definitely feels like May was yesterday,” said Danielle Ryan, Valentina’s mom. “Her grave is almost all covered by grass, and it’s very, very weird…like it can’t be real.”

Valentina died on Tuesday, May 12, at 3:35 p.m. at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. To mark the moment their daughter passed away, Danielle and Valentina’s dad Ryan Allen, and big sister Victoria, invited the community—especially children—to join their family outside their Howard Beach home to release small, red, heart-shaped balloons into the atmosphere.

Valentina Marie Allen

The neighborhood embraced Valentina and her family, soaking up the inspiration the cherubic champ provided almost daily as she fought the debilitating disease; perfect strangers appreciating the dignity and grace with which Danielle and Ryan chronicled their bundle of brave’s battle on social media.

Valentina captivated an entire community. In the six months since she passed away, several organizations and establishments have produced products and events in her name to raise funds for CHOP.

“Words can’t even describe how honored we are that Valentina had such an effect on so many people,” Danielle said. “It’s beautiful to see our community come together again after six months, and to see so many children talk about her and say they’re sending balloons up to her is heartwarming.”

Danielle has acknowledged that even 24 weeks later, some days can be difficult to navigate.

“It’s still very hard, especially as the holidays come around,” she related to The Forum. “I feel like she was robbed of her childhood, basically. She should’ve dressed up for Halloween and she should be waiting for Santa.

“I miss the way she looked for her sister,” Danielle added, “the excitement she had when she watched her run. Her smile when she saw her favorite show…her jumping in her crib waiting for me to come in and get her.”

And while they “miss her like crazy,” Danielle said that the family loves to talk about Valentina, and “celebrate her beautiful life.”

Thank Heaven for that little girl.

By Michael V. Cusenza  

michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

Neighbors and business owners are also encouraged to once again “paint the town red”—affix red balloons or bows to their homes or establishments—just as so many did in May in the days after Valentina passed away in her mother’s arms at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Valentina captivated the community through her innate resolve to conquer hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital defect marked by a severely underdeveloped left ventricle.

Since her death, countless highly successful charity events have been organized in Valentina’s name, with more scheduled for later this year and early 2016.

“She put up a battle every single day, and she touched more lives and inspired more people than she will ever know,” her mom, Danielle, said at the time. “All of the prayers helped her to persevere this long, and now she will be a beautiful baby among the angels in heaven, forever watching over us all.”

By Michael V. Cusenza   michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

On a crisp October evening this week, Russo’s On The Bay turned into an alcove of altruistic angels as it hosted the Angels On The Bay 21^st Anniversary Benefit Ball.

In addition to marking more than two decades of raising funds “to provide life-enhancing services for the chronically ill, developmentally disabled, and physically challenged children” of the Howard Beach community, this year’s grand gala also celebrated the life and legacy of Valentina Marie Allen, the tough Howard Beach toddler, and great granddaughter of AOTB Board Member Nicholas Lo Prinzi, who succumbed to heart disease five months ago at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the age of 2.

Russo’s On The Bay hosted more than 400 guests Tuesday night at the Angels On The Bay 21st Anniversary Benefit Ball.

“[Valentina’s] journey really inspired us to take Angels into the next chapter of our mission,” AOTB Vice President Cookie Kurtz told The Forum. “Her loss truly struck us. We always look at the big picture, but recognizing Valentina this year brings us back to the core of why we do what we do.”

Nearly 450 dressed-to-the-nines guests on Tuesday enjoyed an extended cocktail hour and multi-course meal, participated in a silent auction featuring a treasure trove of sports memorabilia, and enjoyed a live performance by Big Shot the Ultimate Billy Joel Experience tribute band.

“I know Valentina will make a beautiful Angel,” Kurtz said in stirring remarks to the audience. “Her [AOTB] legacy begins tonight.”

Founded by Frank Russo, Jr., Frank Russo, Sr., Cookie Kurtz, Cathy Burns, and Julie and Bruno Rinaldi, Angels On The Bay aims each year “to have our funds directly involved in helping those who care, teach, and improve the quality of life for these children.”

To date, AOTB has raised more than $3.8 million for children’s services.

By Michael V. Cusenza

michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

The bold-face names parading through Paris Fashion Week had nothing on the mini models that fiercely strutted their sartorial stuff last Saturday in Howard Beach at the Heart Heroes Runway Fashion Show fundraiser in honor of Valentina Marie Allen.

Organized by Team Valentina and designer Zuly Collao-Ruiz, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the show also featured catered food, a DJ, free balloons, face painting by Sprinkles the Clown, games, temporary tattoos, and more.

More than 200 people packed the Roma View room to cheer on the amateur Angels as they walked the short runway, while others perused the By Zuly C. clothing racks set up in the far left corner. Ten percent of By Zuly C.’s sales last Saturday were earmarked for CHOP.

Area businesses donated nearly 100 different raffle prizes, and the 50/50 raffle quickly reached the $2,500 mark—half of the total went to the winner, while the other half went to CHOP.

The afternoon show was just the latest fundraiser organized in Valentina’s name. The tough toddler succumbed to heart disease five months ago at CHOP at the age of 2, but her fight and family have captivated the hearts of Howard Beach.

“A lot of people connected to her,” said Ryan Allen, Valentina’s father. “Yes, people go on with their daily lives, but it’s nice that they just haven’t forgotten, that they’ll come to something like this.”

By Michael V. Cusenza  michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

Little Valentina Allen of Howard Beach died earlier this year from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, leaving behind her big sister, 3-year-old Victoria, mom Danielle, and dad Ryan – all of whom were present at Friday’s Forum-sponsored poker tournament. Nearly $4,000 was raised to benefit CHOP’s Cardiac Social Department, which enables families to stay with their babies during surgeries and was of great comfort to the Allen family during Valentina’s many ordeals.

You can still see it in the red balloons and bows, some new, others fading and falling; on the big boulevard and on side streets. You can see it on Facebook and other social media platforms, where words of encouragement and digital tears still flow in posts on pages.

It was evident on Monday night at Gold’s Gym.

Some faces, familiar from her funeral four weeks ago, others new to the cause, donating in Valentina Marie Allen’s name for the first time. To the right, in the spin room, participants embarked on Valentina’s Ride, raising funds for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on stationary bikes. A few feet away, dozens of Zumba enthusiasts, most of them clad in Team Valentina gear, chose the dance-fitness craze to contribute to the CHOP cause.

Members of the Howard Beach community on Monday joined the family of Valentina Marie Allen, including mom Danielle, dad Ryan, and older sister Victoria, at Gold’s Gym for a fun fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Valentina ultimately succumbed to her illness there four weeks ago. She was 2. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

“It makes me so happy that no one is forgetting her,” said Danielle Allen, Valentina’s mother.

Allen also was thrilled to see so many people giving to such a worthy cause.

“When I say they were like family, I mean it,” she said of CHOP and its staff. “Your baby is not just another baby; your baby is theirs. The doctors, the nurses, the surgeons—everybody was just so caring.”

Allen then noted how four staff members from CHOP drove down from Philadelphia that Friday afternoon to attend Valentina’s funeral the following morning.

“To know that that hospital helped them so much, you just want to be a part of something that might help a future family who might have to endure something similar,” said Phyllis Inserillo, who helped organize Monday’s event. “We also want Valentina’s name to be remembered.”

Danielle Allen acknowledged that since her 2-year-old “Valley Girl” passed away on May 12 from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, “some days are worse than others.”

She copes, in part, by focusing on her 3-year-old, Victoria, and the goal of having more children, and raising them in the Howard Beach that her daughter captured with that cherubic smile two years ago and has never let go.

“Valentina was amazing: she was a warrior, she left an imprint on the community and no one will ever forget her,” Danielle said with an indelible smile that instantly reminds you of another one. “I’ll make sure of that.”

By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com

All donations and money raised will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Philidephia (CHOP).

There will be a minimum donation of $30. You can make the donation yourself or ask people to sponser you! We will have sponser sheets available for pickup at the front desk. We will have prizes for the top money raisers and gifts for all those who participate. 

If you have a team Valentina shirt please wear it for the Ride or to Zumba ♥

Kelly & Natalie will both be guiding your ride! 

Ashley, Andrea, & Claudia will be your Zumba leaders! 

We thank you all in advance for participating and for your donations.

A stricken Howard Beach toddler is now a candidate for a heart transplant following complications from her April 7 open-heart surgery to replace a leaky valve, the girl’s mother told The Forum this week.

Valentina Allen, 2, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital defect marked by a severely underdeveloped left ventricle. Valentina, who lives with mom Danielle, dad Ryan, and older sister Victoria, underwent her first open-heart surgery when she was just three days old.

The four-hour procedure to replace the compromised valve was to take place on April 1 at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where Valentina has been treated since she arrived on Feb. 15, 2013. However, the operation had to be postponed until April 7 because Valentina was suffering from a cold.

All signs pointed to a successful surgery. But on Sunday night, April 12, Valentina went into cardiac arrest, something her mom knew might occur right after the procedure, not five days post-op.

“Her ventricle got used to not pumping so much blood, because the valve was so leaky, that when the new valve went in, it was just too much,” Danielle said. “Her doctor told me to look at it as if I was walking and then all of a sudden a 60-pound backpack was thrown on my back. I would slow down until I got my momentum back.”

Doctors intubated Valentina before she coded—cardiopulmonary arrest requiring immediate resuscitative efforts—twice. They then put her on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation life support “to let her heart really heal,” Danielle said.

On Monday, Valentina was taken off ECMO life support, and doctors noted that the ventricle was strong enough to wait for a new heart. She will remain in Philadelphia as long as she is on the transplant list.

“Thank God she is here because anywhere else there would be an extremely high chance she would’ve died,” Danielle said. “Not many hospitals have an ECMO machine, and without it she wouldn’t have made it, so I thank God for that.”

By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com