By STACY PENZER
"The Long Island community has come out in force to support Sunrise," Freidberg JCC Executive Director Arnie Preminger said about the $1 million raised for the camp. Sunrise is unique in that it enables families to send their cancer-stricken children to camp for free.
"The JCC should be commended," said state Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, who secured $100,000 in state funds for the project. "Sunrise is an extraordinary camp."
"It was incredible the first week to watch the children laughing and splashing," Preminger says. "Our goal is to change the children's memories to an active, exciting summer." Activities at Sunrise include everything from mini golf and a driving range to swimming, dance and theater. "The only challenge is remembering these kids have special needs," Preminger added.
Sunrise, founded by the Oceanside JCC, was specifically designed to meet these children¹s special needs by a team of four hospital partners: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, North Shore/LIJ Schneider's Children Hospital, Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx, and the Winthrop University Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola. Each hospital recruits its own population of pediatric cancer patients. Several physicians serve on the camp's advisory board.
"Day camp is a great idea," says medical director Dr. Adam Levy, "because many kids with illness are not ready for sleepaway. My job is to provide support to children and their families. It is very heartwarming to see these kids just be kids."
Among the day camp¹s special features are a misting tent for campers unable to fully submerge themselves in the pool, a tram to transport them around the grounds, and a fully air-conditioned wellness center. In addition, programs are modified where necessary to reduce potential health risks. For example, the level of contact sports is limited with the use of special equipment, such as a soft volleyball.
"Sunrise is more medically savvy than a regular day camp," Levy says. An infirmary is set up to meet the needs of kids undergoing chemotherapy. Medical personnel rotate in shifts so there is always one doctor on site and two nurses to ensure kids a safe and healthy experience. "When a child comes into the wellness center with a headache," Levy continues, "we have to determine whether it is related to the treatment and disease or simply a need to rest."
Some campers, however, were unable to make the first day of camp due to health reasons. But nothing stops the Sunrise. Camp advisory board member and volunteer Bonnie Flatow makes hospital visitations to such kids. She surprised one family by bringing gifts, including a camp T-shirt, to a six-year-old boy in isolation at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. The boy's father, whose son's face is tattooed on his arm, was overwhelmed and appreciative for her visit, she said.
"It's unbelievable that people got this camp up and running," Flatow says. "The first week brought tears to my eyes seeing the children having the best time doing things they probably wouldn¹t have had the chance to do otherwise."
"The first week I have seen such a rise in my kids' self-esteem," says Karen Perrone of Deer Park, mother of Samantha, 8, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2001 and Amanda, 5. "In one week they have played every kind of sport. Sam has tried new things like basketball on a real court."
When Perrone, originally from Oceanside, visited the Sunrise campsite, she instantly realized she had once been a camper herself on the same grounds. She is pleased her daughter Samantha, three years off treatment this September, can have a similar day camp experience. "Camp is fun,² says Samantha. "I like my counselors a lot. Pool time is the best. We do a buddy check in the pool to make sure we're nice and safe swimming with a friend."
Perrone has been involved in many fundraising efforts for the camp as a committee member of the Long Island Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She also helped secure a donation of 150 baseball caps from the Heavenly Hat organization.
When Omar Delgado of Elmhurst, Queens, heard about Sunrise, he thought it would be great for his six-year-old daughter, Daphne, diagnosed with ALL in 2003. "Daphne did so well in kindergarten this year," he says. "We thought it was an excellent idea to send her to camp so she could socialize with her peers."
Until summer's end, Daphne needs a mediport to administer monthly medication which prevents pneumonia. "Daphne knows the precautions to take," her father said, "but it's difficult to limit a young child¹s activity. She is a bundle of energy."
Brittany Ventrice, 17, of Seaford, has the unique opportunity to be both camper and counselor-in-training at Sunrise. At the end of each day, Brittany enjoys helping younger campers, including brother Zachary, 13, and sister Madison, 11.
Diagnosed at North Shore Hospital in 2002 with ALL, Brittany will be off chemotherapy two years this October. "It's comforting knowing other people understand what you are going through," says Brittany. "Nobody is left out at camp. It's a real family environment."
"Sunrise is safe, vibrant, fun and exciting," says Sunrise camp director Michele Vernon. "It is a gift to give these kids." Vernon recalls a touching moment during the first week when one mom pulled her in for a hug and expressed, "You can't imagine what this means to us."
"Parents have told us they have been given back a summer," says Dr. Levy. "What a blessing that is."
Comments about this story? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
