“Are we going to camp?”
The camp season may be over, but Matias Zurita, 3, asks his mom this question almost every time they get in the car. When they drive past familiar street signs, Matias will usually point in the direction of Pozez JCC, knowing fun is nearby. He often tells his mom, “No no, this way.”
Little Matias was one of the youngest children to spend his summer days at Horizon Day Camp, a free camp for children with cancer and their siblings. He was diagnosed with liver cancer last year, and since then, has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and a major surgery.
For Matias, camp made fun possible again. He could do all of his favorite activities — from swimming to playground fun to dancing — with the help of adaptive equipment and trained professionals.
“He could forget what he was going through. And he loved every day at camp. I could see that,” said Neshmy, his mom. “From the very first day, as a mom, I knew this was the right place for Matias and for all children battling cancer.”
For many children and their families, Horizon is a magical experience, one that continues with year-round engagement opportunities beyond camp.
These five programs and events offer regular touchpoints to remain involved with Horizon, a community that exists long after summer is over. Each experience is adapted to meet every season and need, ensuring families can face one of their biggest challenges with the support they deserve.
Go to a family fun day, made safe for children with cancer
Experience the joy and safety of camp with family fun days, monthly happenings made just for Horizon families. To protect immunocompromised children, every program is private, only open to families registered for Horizon Day Camp.
Annual favorites include exploring and experimenting at the Children’s Science Center, where families have the entire, freshly-sanitized museum to themselves. Another is Golden Boot Soccer with Coach Tamir Linhart, who formerly played for Hapoel Tel Aviv. For one day, children run and kick around adaptive, safe balls with Tamir and his team. All players go home with soccer jerseys and trophies.
“So many of our kids and their siblings have to miss parts of childhood because of a compromised immune system,” said Ilana Adler, Assistant Director and Family Support Specialist of Horizon Day Camp at Pozez JCC. “We create activities for them so they can experience life outside of cancer.”
And while children have fun with their friends, parents socialize with one another, often sharing experiences over coffee and snacks. This has been meaningful for Hani Attar, who has two daughters, Julia, 8, and Ayla, 3. His youngest was diagnosed with cancer last year.
“For so many of us, Horizon Day Camp came through when we were stumbling,” Hani said. “They gave us joy and comfort and relief.”
Hani could focus on caring for Ayla knowing Julia was safe at camp, her happy place. She used to tell her dad not to pick her up a minute before the end of the day.
Now, with family fun days, Julia has an opportunity to relive camp. She and her father have been to a number of them, including a movie screening and a wintertime event with crafts and games.
“She loves this camp and this community,” Hani said. “She said, ‘Sign me up every year. I want to go there.’”
Family fun day attendance has been steadily rising each month, at most reaching 40 families. The increase is largely because parents know their children can be in a space with friends without compromising their health. Keep an eye out for details on the next event, which will be Golden Boot Soccer from 10 am-1 pm on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Bring camp fun to your child as they undergo treatment
Horizon on Wheels brings the magic of camp to children undergoing treatment at Children’s National Hospital and L. J. Murphy Children’s Hospital, both of which have top-ranked pediatric oncology units. Patients are as young as 3 and as old as 16.
Inside a rainbow-colored trunk, wheeled around by staff and volunteers, children get to choose their fun. There are toys, games, and crafts for all ages. Some may build Lego towers or color printouts of their favorite superheroes while others play a game of UNO or do an art project.
These one-on-one activities accomplish three goals: patients have fun, their siblings feel recognized, and their parents get a much-needed reprieve.
Every year, Horizon on Wheels engages more than 6,000 children in 21 hospitals. On their scariest days, there are bright moments of camp-like fun, created by people who care about them.
Participate in our biggest charity walk of the year
Lace up your shoes and walk with purpose alongside 200-some camp families and community members.
HorizonWALKS is an annual fundraising event featuring a 1-mile lap around National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Every dollar raised helps children with cancer enjoy a summer camp made just for them, meaning all funds go directly to Horizon Day Camp at Pozez JCC.
All are welcome to walk — family, friends, colleagues. Participants can register as individuals or as part of a 5-10-person team. Those who cannot physically be there can become sponsors or make donations. The event also features fun, kid-friendly activities, including face painting, bracelet making, dancing, and games.
“When they see you, they knock you over with these huge hugs because they’re so excited to be around camp people again,” said Joellen Kriss-Broubalow, Director of Horizon Day Camp. “That’s how you know what you’re doing really matters.”
In April, at the third-annual walk, participants raised $133,000, surpassing their fundraising goal by about $7,000. The next event is slated for Sunday, April 27 in National Harbour and is looking to be an even greater success.
Donate life-saving blood, right here at Pozez JCC
The American Red Cross holds four blood drives per year at Pozez JCC. Many of our donors are regulars, who stick their arms out again and again to help those battling pediatric cancer, among other diagnoses.
Over the past eight months, Red Cross has collected 150 units of blood, saving approximately 450 lives. And just a few weeks ago, at the most recent Pozez JCC blood drive, all 38 donor slots were filled, helping to exceed a goal of acquiring 25 units.
This is a small and important victory, as the Red Cross is witnessing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years. Cancer patients use nearly a quarter of the blood supply in the entire country, more blood than anyone fighting any other disease.
Donors of all blood types are critically needed, but especially those with O negative blood. To qualify for whole blood donation, you must:
- Be in good health
- Feel well
- Be at least 16 years of age, with signed parental consent
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
- Meet this additional eligibility criteria, which covers medications, medical conditions, traveling to certain countries, and personal history
The entire donation process, from arrival to departure, takes about one hour. The donation itself is only 8-10 minutes on average. For more information on upcoming blood drives, visit our events page at thej.org/events.
Enjoy a casino night while supporting children with cancer
For one night only, Pozez JCC transforms into a casino with a cause. Playing table games, eating delicious food, and dancing to music all happen at Casino Night, an opportunity to raise funds for Horizon Day Camp and year-round programs for children with cancer.
All community members are welcome, no matter your level of involvement with Horizon. You can attend or become a sponsor of the next Casino Night, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Pozez JCC. More details will be released over the coming weeks.
Impact beyond summer camp
Fun days, blood drives, fundraisers — Horizon Day Camp is more than a summer camp. There are so many creative and meaningful ways for families to remain engaged, and for our entire JCC community to support children with cancer. Every program and event is an opportunity to strengthen parents and their little ones, giving them what they need and deserve.
