This summer, children with cancer and their siblings will have the opportunity to attend the new Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River, free of charge. This camp was first launched in Long Island, and is now expanding to Pearl River, NY, to serve children from Westchester and other northern suburbs, as well as the northern tip of New York.
Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River will be open on a non-sectarian basis to all children ages 3 1/2 to 16 years who are coping with any type of cancer at any stage, provided their doctors clear them to participate. Siblings are also welcome to attend. In addition to specially trained counselors, specialists, and assistants, the camp will be staffed by on-site pediatric oncology nurses and supported by volunteer pediatric oncology doctors from area hospitals. Affiliations are in place with some of the most renowned hospitals and medical centers in the service area in the field of pediatric oncology, including Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and St. Barnabas Medical Center.
“Children with cancer are often isolated from the normal activities of childhood. Rarely do they have a chance to see beyond the closed worlds of home, hospital, and doctors’ offices,” said Ellie Aronowitz, Executive Director of the Rosenthal JCC, which is partnering with the Friedberg JCC to launch the camp. “Sunrise Day Camp opens the door to a new world by making it possible for campers to enjoy a summer filled with exciting activities daily, enduring friendships and joyful experiences, while paying careful attention to their special medical and emotional needs.”
There will be a SunriseWALKS family friendly walk-a-thon taking place on June 9 to help the sun rise for children with cancer. Anyone interested in participating in the walk or supporting Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River can visit www.rosenthaljcc/sunrise or call (914) 741-0333, x23.