Sunrise on Wheels Brings Joy to Staten Island Pediatric Patients
The Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, operated by the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, successfully launched the Sunrise on Wheels program at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). The Sunrise on Wheels program is a one-of-a-kind weekly initiative dedicated to putting smiles on children’s faces.
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“At SIUH, we are dedicated to providing not only the best medical care but also emotional and social support for our young patients. The launch of Sunrise on Wheels brings an extra layer of comfort and joy to children undergoing treatment, allowing them to escape the hospital setting, even for a little while, and just enjoy being kids,” said Eleny Romanos-Sirakis, MD, director of pediatric hematology/oncology at the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center.
Sunrise on Wheels is a hospital program designed to bring joy and excitement to children as they wait for and receive treatment in pediatric oncology units. The initiative hit the ground running on February 24th at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. This first visit was a tremendous success, with pediatric oncology and hematology patients taking part in a range of delightful activities designed to bring them joy. The “trunk of fun,” filled with games and crafts, offered essential distractions for the children, provided a moment of relaxation for parents, and allowed siblings to partake in the joyous experience. The program will take place every Monday in four-hour sessions to provide children with engaging activities and a welcome distraction during their treatment.
Orit Lender, CEO of the JCC of Staten Island, stated, “We’re thrilled to bring our Sunrise on Wheels program to pediatric cancer patients at Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health. This partnership has been a long time coming, and we can’t wait to see the joy this will bring to children receiving cancer treatment.”
Pediatric cancer patients get to participate in weekly games and crafts thanks to the partnership between The Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island and SIUH. This partnership represents the creation of true happiness for children who are dealing with the unimaginable.
“Sunrise on Wheels is an incredible program that gives children with cancer the opportunity to take their minds off of their treatments in the hospital and just be kids,” said David Lutzker, Director of Sunrise Experience.
“Having Sunrise on Wheels at SIUH is truly a game-changer for our pediatric patients and their families,” explained Ann Marie Quinn, LCSW, senior social worker at Florina Cancer Center. “This program creates moments of happiness and relief during what can be a challenging time, and we are grateful to partner with Sunrise in bringing smiles and play to our hospital.”
We applaud the Sunrise on Wheels initiative for playing an incredible role in these children’s lives and bringing smiles to their faces weekly.
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