Dedicated, passionate and determined.As a parent and educator, Kris is well versed in the physical and emotional needs of children. Throughout her career, Kris has developed and implemented numerous successful programs which has allowed the children and families to reap the rewards. The founding of Anna's Pals, and launching of the programs, are an extension of her passion for helping children and families. Anna’s Pals was founded in memory of Anna Jerome. Anna was 15 when she lost her 15 month battle to AML, an aggressive form of Leukemia. Anna was a great daughter, sibling, friend, athlete, bandmate, teammate and patient.Anna's Pals is a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit aimed at improving the lives of hospitalized and sick children along with their families. We currently provide bedside distractions for the blood cancer and disorder floor at Boston Children’s Hospital. Patients on this floor are hospitalized for months at a time. Many of these children receive intensive chemotherapy which wipes out their immune system, making them extremely susceptible to infection.Anna's Pals working towards building a beach house for kids with compromised immune systems. The children receive little socialization due to long term isolation as well as the fact that once released from the hospital they can ONLY be at home or clinic and hospital appointments. They don’t have the ability to fight infection, so they need to be kept away from all contaminants. The beach house will be made of mold and mildew resistant materials. Anna's Pals seeks to create an environment specifically designed to meet the cleanliness requirements of these sick kids, allowing them the ability to have a bit of an escape from the confinements of their medical condition. The beach house would allow for much needed socialization with family along with visits from friends. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body.