Sanaya Strong

Fundraiser for Camp Happy Times

The journey of fighting pediatric cancer is an all-encompassing journey that weighs heavily on the entire family and the child more than many of us will ever know. Our journey with Sanaya over the past 2.5 years, through ~160 chemo infusions, countless procedures, and daily medication assortments, has weighed on all of us heavily, particularly Sanaya. But as we approach the end of our journey (God willing, at the end of June) and reflect on what has empowered us to make it to this point, one common theme has been the spaces that have uplifted Sanaya's spirits. From the family and friends that have gone out of their way to include her in activities, to the Child Life Team at the Valerie Center that make every hospital trip feel like a play date, one of the most empowering spaces thus far has been Camp Happy Times.

Camp Happy Times is a one-week overnight camp experience for any child aged 5-21 who has, or has had, cancer. Operating for over 35 years, Camp Happy Times takes these children away to the Poconos for seven days during the summer with doctors and nurses for incredible activities and FUN (with no phones). They swim, do arts and crafts, fish at sunrise, climb the rock wall, go tubing, play basketball, and even have a formal dance, all AT ZERO COST to the families. Some of the children are receiving chemo infusions and treatment DURING the trip, and as a testament to the community they build together, the children not receiving chemo treatment lean in to help support and just be there for the children that are. As parents, we were so terrified of having Sanaya go to the camp last summer during an intense stretch in her treatment schedule; and then we realized-- the team we would call if something were to go wrong at home (which has happened numerous times), ARE THE medical staff at the camp! So in a weird way, she would be in better medical hands at the camp than she would be at home.

Sanaya was nervous and a bit scared as well, but she had such an incredible time that she actually didn't want to leave. And as heartwarming as that was for us as parents, what was more amazing is how she expressed a level of belonging and "not feeling different," which brought us to tears. Even with all of the love and support she has received from day one from family and friends (even her "amiga" crew that shaved their hair in support of her), no one in her immediate circle is going through what she is going through. And to be in a fun and normal space where they are all going through the same thing, and SHE could be the support for others, is a testament to the power of community and inspiration that Camp Happy Times provides for all of the children, and their families as an extension.

And so, we are running the Brooklyn Half Marathon on April 23rd as a fundraiser for Camp Happy Times. Our hope and prayer is that we can be a blessing to Camp Happy Times so that they can continue to be a blessing to the children and families fighting this dreaded disease and continue to empower and inspire by creating a safe space for these brave children to know they are not alone.