Sunrise Day Camp is the world’s first full-summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, provided completely free of charge. The camp is operated by the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center on the grounds of Staten Island Academy.
Borough President Fossella called the camp “a little oasis that provides not only sunrise but sunshine and a home away from home.”
“There’s enough cost to families who have to endure a child with cancer and the stress and the financial burden, everything that comes with it,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the camp. “So, we try to play a small part to ease the pain and the burden by providing that funding and it’s one of the ber things we get to do each year.”
JCC CEO Orit Lender thanked Borough President Fossella and Jay Chazanoff, vice chair of the JCC’s board of directors, for their continued support of the camp.
“This is a real opportunity for young people who are facing cancer to be able to put it aside for seven weeks and to be able to be children again — to have the joy of running around, doing arts and crafts, playing kickball and swimming,” she said. “You have allowed us to bring campers here every day, to bring magic back into their lives and it means so much to the children and it means so much to their families, as well.”
