How saying ‘yes’ makes a difference to Sunrise families facing pediatric cancer 

Last weekend, the Pozez JCC and Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington answered with a resounding “yes!” to our campers’ most-asked question: “Can we have more camp?” 

The Camp YES Day event, one of Sunrise’s monthly Family Fun Day activities, brought back that magic summer feeling with a chance to revisit everyone’s favorite camp activities outside of the camp season. 

The day was all about letting campers do the things they love most. They got to swim, participate in STEAM activities and arts and crafts, take center stage at drama class, and reunite with their camp friends. Our campers are a mix of kids facing cancer, survivors, and their siblings, but at Sunrise Day Camp, they’re all just kids having fun. 

Camp YES Day was a slice of camp with one important twist. Parents were welcome to attend and join the activities with their families. This Family Fun Day was our most attended yet, with 65 participants representing 16 families and 17 dedicated staff members coming together for a day filled with laughter, connection, and unforgettable camp fun. 

When they weren’t busy enjoying special activities with their kids, parents shared the impact the various Sunrise programs have had on their families. These conversations reminded us that the impact of Sunrise extends beyond the campers themselves — it touches entire families. 

One family shared how the COVID pandemic felt doubly isolating when one of their sons was diagnosed with cancer and long hospital stays separated the two boys during treatments. During those difficult days, Sunrise on Wheels — Sunrise’s in-hospital program — gave the family something to look forward to, as the team brought toys, games, and fun directly to the hospital. That summer, Sunrise Day Camp brought the boys back together, while also bringing joy and normalcy back into their lives. 

When asked to describe Sunrise in just one word, parents responded with “blessing,” “connection,” “belonging,” “community,” “hope,” “home,” and “joy.” Each word reflected a different experience, but together they painted a powerful picture of what Sunrise means to the families we serve.  

What we heard from families on Camp YES Day is that Sunrise is more than a camp. It’s a source of hope during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Sunrise Day Camp continues to be a place where entire families feel connected — to other families who understand the realities of having a child with cancer, to caring staff, and to a community that surrounds them with encouragement and support. 

Events like Camp YES Day also serve as an important reminder that programs like Sunrise exist because of the generosity of our community. All Sunrise programs, including our six-week summer day camp, Family Fun Days, and Sunrise on Wheels hospital programming, are offered completely free of charge. We can’t create that magic alone. 

As we look ahead to our fifth summer, Sunrise Day Camp – Greater Washington invites the larger community to come together to support our programs. Because when we say “yes” to children with cancer and their siblings, incredible things happen: joy returns, friendships grow, and families find a place where they truly belong.  

Say “yes” today and support Sunrise Day Camp. DONATE NOW