Sunrise Day Camp, the only full-summer dedicated day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, will open its doors in Pearl River, NY, for the first time this summer on July 2. The new camp will be able to accommodate up to 150 children 3 1/2 to 16 years old 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. “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 Sandy Haft, Camp Director. “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.” Recognizing the extraordinary financial demands that a child’s chronic illness can have on a family, Sunrise Day Camp is offered free of charge. There will be a SunriseWALKS family-friendly walk-a-thon at the camp on June 9 at 10:00am. There will be a Finish Line Celebration with lots of fun activities for children. Anyone interested in supporting the camp is encouraged to register at www.sunrisewalks.kintera.org/pearlriver. For more information about Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River, go to www.rosenthaljcc.org/sunrise. Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River is a non-sectarian program of the Rosenthal JCC and the Friedberg JCC. The first Sunrise Day Camp opened in Wheatley Heights, NY, in 2006 and now serves nearly 600 children. The second Sunrise Day Camp was opened in 2010 in Israel.
