CNN Anchor John Berman wins big for local charity Friends of Karen

“Who is James Cameron?” That was the answer that made John Berman the winner on last night’s episode of “Celebrity Jeopardy!” As the champion, Berman claimed $50,000 for children’s charity Friends of Karen.

“What a thrilling finish to this day! John really went the distance to help our families who have a child with cancer,” said Judith Factor, Friends of Karen’s Executive Director. “They so desperately need the support that Friends of Karen provides to stay stable and functioning. John’s commitment to our children and their families is inspiring!”

Berman is co-anchor of CNN’s “Early Start with John Berman & Christine Romans” and of “@THISHOUR”. In his two decades of television news reporting, he has covered stories ranging from the milestone 2008 Presidential election to the war in Iraq, from the steroids scandal in American sports to the best way to catch catfish barehanded. He has won the Edward R. Murrow Award for best broadcast and the James Beard Award for best television segment.

“Friends of Karen started with one child, named Karen, in 1978 and since then has touched the lives of almost 14,000 children,” says Ms. Factor. “We are so lucky to have John as a friend, spreading the word about the lifeline we offer to families dealing with a situation that’s impossible to imagine.”

Friends of Karen is the only organization in the New York Tri-State area that provides vital and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families caring for a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. They carefully match each family with one of their social workers who serves as a personal advocate, ensuring that they get the emotional, financial and practical support they need to remain stable and functioning during a crisis that affects every member of the family. Friends of Karen helps free them of everyday needs and concerns, so they have more time for what’s most important: each other.

Friends of Karen serves all qualified families without regard to race, religion, national origin or cultural background. For more information, visit www.FriendsOfKaren.org or call (914) 617-4042.