Navigating Cancer, Finding Community: The Sunrise Story
The world turned upside down the day Eliza, a vibrant three-year-old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“It came as a complete surprise and was a very devastating diagnosis,” her mother, Sammi, recalled.
The eight months that followed in 2023 and 2024 were a blur of isolation and relentless treatment, a stark departure from the joyful rhythm of childhood. Preschool was abandoned, playdates vanished, and the word “no” became a constant, heart-wrenching refrain.
Beyond the emotional toll, the family faced a crushing financial burden, medical bills mounting with each procedure. But amidst the darkness, a ray of hope emerged: Sunrise on Wheels. This in-hospital initiative, a partnership between the Pozez JCC and Sunrise Association, transformed Eliza’s treatment days. A rainbow-colored trunk filled with games and a group of volunteers radiating warmth greeted her at every appointment.
“They were just the friendliest people,” Sammi shared.
The volunteers also introduced Sammi to Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington, a free, six-week summer haven for children (3 ½ to 16 years old) with cancer and their siblings.
Sammi was initially hesitant to relinquish the constant care she’d provided Eliza for eight months. However, she ultimately decided to give her a chance at normalcy and signed her up for camp. Sammi’s anxiety quickly dissipated as she witnessed the camp’s compassionate and specially trained staff, on-site medical support including a team of nurses supervised by a pediatric oncologist, and the sheer joy radiating from her daughter. With the help of adaptive equipment and skilled professionals, Eliza, a social butterfly, blossomed in the camp’s embrace, swimming, crafting, and playing with newfound vigor.
“Camp was her first introduction back into a group and being around other kids again,” Sammi explained.
Neshmy Zurita shared similar anxieties. Her son Matias, diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in May of 2023, relies on a feeding tube and rarely speaks. Further, his time outside their home had become synonymous with medical procedures, and Neshmy yearned to change that narrative. Sunrise Day Camp offered that change.
“I worried about how he would communicate and how he would do on his own,” Neshmy shared. “It gave me such peace of mind knowing he was in a good, safe, and loving place. I noticed how all the counselors would greet him and how he would go up and hug every single person. Despite being in treatment, he always had energy to go to camp because he wanted to be there so badly.”
For both Sammi and Neshmy, Sunrise Day Camp isn’t just a respite; it is a lifeline. They juggle full-time jobs with the demanding role of full-time caregivers for their children, their lives a constant cycle of appointments and medication schedules.
“Having camp was amazing,” Sammi emphasized. “We could focus on work, knowing she was getting quality care, and without the financial strain.” The camp provided six weeks of crucial support, a much-needed break for the entire family.
Eliza and Matias will return to Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington this summer, with Eliza’s younger sister excited to join in the fun next summer. This transformative experience, offered completely free of charge, is only made possible because of grants and generous contributions by our community.
To secure the continuation of these programs – a salvation to our Sunrise families – the J will host its fourth annual SunriseWALKS fundraising event, on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD. We hope you will start a team, join a team, or donate to ensure that we are able to continue to provide Sunrise Day Camp, Sunrise on Wheels, and Sunday Fun Days programming free of charge to our camp families throughout the year.
Your support of SunriseWALKS ensures that children like Eliza and Matias can continue to find joy and normalcy amidst their challenging journeys. Join us in turning the tide for these families; every step and every donation at SunriseWALKS brings hope and healing within reach.
