My son was 2 when diagnosed with leukemia and getting him to the hospital for treatments and blood draws was typically a process of tears, tantrums, and pinning him down. When we discovered Looney Lenny, we saw our kid laugh hysterically at his magical gestures filled with comedy and wonder. When he came, all the kids would wander into my son's room to watch Looney Lenny's show. We ended up making our appointments around when he was performing, and doctors' appointments became a trip to see Looney Lenny and no longer a trip to the doctor. He truly transformed our experience.

Almost 12 years ago, we experienced one of the most frightening times of our lives, when our three-year-old daughter Katie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After meeting with her team of doctors at NYU's Hassenfeld Children's Clinic, we learned that Katie would have to undergo a very aggressive chemotherapy that would last over a year. At the time, all I could think about was how difficult this journey would be for all of us. How do you keep a 3-year-old occupied and happy while being poked and prodded for an entire day in the clinic? How could we possibly keep our strength and spirits up as a family? How could we keep a brave face for her, so she would not know how frightened we were or be frightened herself?  The answer to all of these questions came to our family like an angel out of the sky, in the shape of a clown by the name of Looney Lenny!  Looney Lenny wasn't only there to keep us all entertained and distracted while Katie underwent her infusion, he was also there as therapy to all of us. How lucky were we that Looney Lenny was there for almost every single one of Katie's 49 treatments. Each week he was there you could hear the laughter among parents and children throughout the clinic. He brought joy to all of us!  I still remember our 6:24 AM train ride each week where Katie, with her eye's barely open would ask "Will Looney Lenny be at the clinic today?"  I cannot express enough how Lenny provided the happiest ray of sunshine in the darkest moment of our lives. Katie (or Cakie as Lenny calls her) still asks every time we go back to Hassenfeld, "Where is Looney Lenny?" and she is almost 16 years old. We love you Looney Lenny ~ thank you for the handprint you have forever left on our hearts! 

As a child in and out of the hospital because of a chronic disease, when Looney Lenny came around - my day always got instantly better. I could be feeling awful and having a rough day, but having a fully dressed clown in your hospital room to take your mind off of serious stuff was sometimes the best medicine. Even as I grew older, the familiar face of Looney Lenny and his tricks, comforted me and made me smile on some of my worst days. "Laughter" in a children's hospital should be an absolute must.

Looney Lenny is the best and really makes the kids and parents laugh. More importantly, they forget, for a little while, what they are going through at the hospital. They bring some sense of normalcy to the kids and the parents. It’s been 13 years since Kayla was at NYU and she’s doing great. We always looked forward to the visits at the hospital and seeing each other at the many events outside. Every time we see Looney Lenny it is like he's part of the family 

I have known Looney Lenny for over 20+ years. When I was in the pediatric department whenever I had to go in for my treatments for my infusions, he was the definition of the calm to my storm. Whenever I was having a rough day, when nurses were struggling with finding my IV, he would always be there to show me support and letting me know that it was going to be OK. He showed me different techniques that I was able to use to not think of the pain. This guy is an amazing man and truly cares about the well-being of sick patients specifically children who have chronic diseases and life-threatening illnesses.

We have known Looney Lenny for 18 years. We first met at NYU hospital when our son was in isolation for cancer and wasn't allowed out of his room. The smile and warmth that Lenny radiated while visiting was priceless. A relationship developed over the years as our son was in and out of the hospital.   Justice and all of the other kids would get so excited when Looney Lenny came to visit the floor and the clinic. The joy on these kids faces and the ringing of laughter ringing through the halls brought immeasurable happiness at a time when it was needed most. Our son was always excited to see him. As he got older he would try to figure out his tricks or just hang out and talk to this very funny and caring clown.

When I was a kid I was always in the hospital. What got me through such a rough time in my life was looking forward to seeing the many people that came to cheer up the kids in the hospital. One person, in particular, I looked forward to seeing was Looney Lenny! Lenny is an amazing clown and person. He was one of the people that always put a smile on my face. He wasn't just a clown, He had many hats he wore; clown, a karaoke singer, a magician, anything to get a laugh. Nothing would make me happier than to know that Looney Lenny is still making kids smile through their toughest days.

We met Looney Lenny when Jake was a baby and hospitalized for several months. Once a week he would come into the hospital and do tricks, tell jokes, and REALLY lift the kid's hopes and spirits. My son LOVED seeing him at holiday parties and baseball games, Looney Lenny made a very difficult situation so much easier to bare! I can’t say enough about his ability to bring smiles wherever he goes!

Looney Lenny was one of the great memories I have from my sister's time at NYU close to 20 years ago. No child wants to be in the hospital or visit a sibling every day who spent most of their time there.  Through the difficult times, Looney Lenny's shows were always something that we looked forward to. He brought happiness, laughs and so many good memories for my sister, mother, and me. Looney Lenny took the time to do one last show for my sister right before she passed. He has an incredible love for what he does and the children who watch him.  

You entertained my daughter and a few other sick kids at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in mid-November. I wanted to thank you for the huge boost you gave to Margot that day. She was feeling yucky and blue and you put a smile on her face. She’s perfectly fine now.

So, thank you for what you do! You made a real difference for us!

Looney Lenny made me feel very special as long that I have known him. He is very funny and made me laugh a lot which made me feel good. He is wonderful and always takes the time to make kids feel special especially when he reached out to us with his live comedy zoom calls during Covid. He cares a lot and has never forgotten me over the decade we have known each other.

Working for Starlight, Looney Lenny has built an excellent rapport with the hospital
community. He regularly serves five hospitals a week as a Starlight clown. He has also been a wonderful addition to our outpatient Great Escapes program where he has performed at our many holiday parties, sporting events, and most recently at our gala.
 

His flexibility and willingness to often provide his services on short notice have earned him our utmost appreciation and respect. I have had the pleasure of seeing many of Lenny's performances firsthand. His humor and quick wit make him a crowd pleaser for all ages. In addition to his work for Starlight, he has been successful in running his own company, Looney Lenny's Clown-O-rific.

Through his company, Looney Lenny and his clowns have served twenty area
hospitals weekly and many of his clowns have worked at Starlight events.
 

Andrew's talent and compassion have been a major asset to all of us here at Starlight and especially to the children we serve.

I met Looney Lenny when I was probably 10 yrs old. I was a patient at NYU hospital. At the age of 3, I was diagnosed with AVM on my brain, and later, thru the years I developed the same in my lungs. The day I met him was magical, and brightened my soul with his jokes. He is so silly and friendly, he instantly changed my mood. He is magical and easily makes you forget sadness, problems, and anything.  I'm 27 now and we are still friends. I still enjoy his performances, and he has the same effect on me. I admit I'm as silly as he is and love to laugh. He definitely made a difference in dealing with my medical issues. I love my favorite funny silly Looney Lenny the clown.

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