Camp Without Walls: How Sunrise VX Brings the Magic Anywhere

Camp Without Walls: How Sunrise VX Brings the Magic Anywhere

A parent once emailed Athena Levesque after a low-key March Madness game night on Zoom to say it was the first time she'd seen her son smile in a long time. That moment, not the celebrity guests or the Hollywood cameos, is what Athena points to when she explains why SunriseVX matters. As Director of SunriseVX, she runs a virtual camp that reaches kids from their homes, their cars on the way to treatment, and their hospital beds, sometimes from across the world. In this episode, she takes us inside a day at virtual camp, from age-specific programming to the all-camp "hullabaloo," and shares how real friendships form in a space these children may never share in person. She also pulls back the curtain on Wheels Up, the travel-adventure series now reaching tens of thousands of kids in over 200 hospitals across seven countries, and the careful, intentional work that goes into making every minute of it feel like a true escape.  Topics Covered:  * How SunriseVX grew into a year-round virtual camp launched in 2022  * Where campers join from: home, hospital beds, the car on the way to treatment, and countries including Canada, Ireland, and the Dominican Republic  * What a day at virtual camp actually looks like, broken down by littles, elementary, and teens  * "Hullabaloo," the all-ages daily gathering, plus virtual twists on camp traditions like golden spoons  * How genuine friendships and counselor connections give kids a space to just be kids  * The March Madness game night that became Athena's defining memory of why this work matters  * Special guests who've joined VX, from Ryan Reynolds and Lucasfilm to a card-guessing magician and K-pop Demon Hunters cast  * How VX serves all Sunrise campers and creates community across every camp  * The flexibility that lets kids drop in for ten minutes or every single day, and move between virtual and in-person as their needs change  * Wheels Up: the American Airlines-sponsored travel series now in 200+ hospitals and seven countries, with translations into Spanish and Hebrew with Arabic subtitles  * The intentional scriptwriting choices that keep content accessible and comfortable for kids in treatment  Links & Resources:  * Learn more about Sunrise VX and virtual programs → https://sunrisedaycamp.org/vx/  About Sunrise Association The Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities, all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 77,000 children annually across 14 summer day camps, 85+ weekly in-hospital programs, and virtual platforms.  Learn more at Sunrise Association - https://www.sunriseassociation.org/ [https://www.sunriseassociation.org/]

Closing the Umbrella: Dr. Carolyn Fein Levy on What Happens to Families When Treatment Ends

Dr. Carolyn Fein Levy carries a story most pediatric oncologists do not. At age eleven, she was diagnosed with a malignant ovarian tumor. Today, she leads pediatric solid tumor care at Cohen Children's Medical Center, and she has been part of the Sunrise story since the very first summer in 2006. In this conversation, she shares why her mother became her "sunrise" long before a camp by that name existed, what she sees in her exam room when a Sunrise camper walks in versus when one does not, and why she launched Closing the Umbrella, a caregiver wellness program coming to Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island on May 3, 2026 in memory of her mother. It's a rare conversation with someone who has lived this from every angle: as a child patient, as a parent, as a physician, and as a Sunrise believer. Topics Covered: Dr. Fein Levy's diagnosis and how survivorship shaped her career Why "everyone just gets it" matters more than sympathy at Sunrise Day Camp What kids actually lose when they're pulled out of normal childhood and how camp gives it back Why siblings are the unseen patients in pediatric cancer The Sunrise Effect impact study and the science behind what camp does for kids Empathy versus sympathy and why campers need the first, not the second How camp builds resilience through real wins, real losses, and real social interaction Why so many former campers return as counselors, child life specialists, and physicians Closing the Umbrella: a new caregiver wellness program launching May 3, 2026 Links & Resources: Closing the Umbrella Symposium, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island → https://www.sunrisedaycamp-longisland.org/2026symposiumAbout Sunrise Association The Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities, all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 77,000 children annually across 14 summer day camps, 85+ weekly in-hospital programs, and virtual platforms.

Her Sister Had Cancer. Camp Gave Her a Place to Just Be a Kid.

When Lucy’s younger sister Penny was diagnosed with leukemia at age eight, Lucy’s world shifted overnight. She went from sharing a bedroom with her sister to staring at a perfectly made, empty bed. At school, everyone in their small town seemed to know more about Penny’s diagnosis than Lucy did, and she didn’t have answers for the flood of questions. Then Lucy came to Sunrise Day Camp Long Island, and everything changed. In this episode, 12-year-old Lucy shares what it’s really like to be a sibling, how camp became the one place where nobody asks intrusive questions, and why she now counts down the days until summer. Her advice to any kid or parent on the fence? “You just have to go.”Topics Covered:• What it’s like to be a sibling of a child with cancer: the confusion, the empty bedroom, the unanswered questions• How Lucy’s small-town community reacted to Penny’s diagnosis, and how classmates and friends treated her differently• Penny’s leukemia diagnosis and treatment journey, and how the family navigated long separations• Lucy’s first year at Sunrise without her sister, and the fear and uncertainty of arriving alone• What makes Sunrise different from every other camp: no intrusive questions, no being treated differently, just belonging• How camp feels "normal" and why nobody talks about cancer at Sunrise• Lucy’s favorite camp activities: art, ropes, train, pool, and Color War• Meeting best friend Adriana and the friendships that make camp feel like family• The wellness staff and why parents don’t need to worry about safety at Sunrise• Lucy’s message to hesitant kids and parents: "You just have to go. Everyone’s so nice. You’ll have the best time."Links & Resources:• Learn more about the 20 Summers of Sunrise Magic campaign → sunriseassociation.org/20-summersAbout Sunrise AssociationThe Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities, all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 69,000 children annually across 14 summer day camps, 85+ weekly in-hospital programs, and virtual platforms. Learn more at sunriseassociation.org

From Art Director to VP of Camping: Growing Up With Sunrise

Deanna Slade has spent nearly two decades watching Sunrise magic unfold, from the very first summers to today’s full-circle moments when former campers return as staff. She shares what “magic” really means at Sunrise: a place where children are seen as kids first, not patients, and where joy becomes something families carry home long after the camp day ends. Deanna also reflects on the real, measurable impact of camp, including confidence and resilience, through a story of a camper who stepped onto the Sunrise stage and later found the courage to join her school play. Topics Covered• Deanna’s Sunrise journey, from Art Director to VP of Camping and Related Serious • Defining “Sunrise magic” for campers, families, and staff• How camp creates a “regular kid” space and why that matters• Impact and outcomes: confidence, resilience, hope, and what families report over time• The “Sunrise Got Talent” story and a camper’s confidence breakthrough• Campers becoming counselors and the full-circle Sunrise cycle• Childhood as skill-building: social skills, patience, teamwork, coping, and more• Why Sunrise is a place of acceptance, tolerance, and authentic belonging• “Come see it” and why visiting a camp changes everything• One Sunrise family across every camp communityAbout Sunrise AssociationThe Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities, all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 69,000 children annually through day camps, in-hospital programs, and virtual platforms.Learn more at https://www.sunriseassociation.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1NONTA0VzFNM0luUmxGYl9qYVdrb3VrSjVHUXxBQ3Jtc0tsdHVWYzJXcUxKcGdmNWxvNzRXNUpfME1JYXJheUpQSGFEWGxVRTFFMDhLdWF6alZKSUdxVzhsTGlSM2VkRnQ3czFiQXAyUTB0Y1lRWHpHNFhyUU5nMEwzT1JmN24yQ0hOMUlhOVhGS2ZabTUzNzZaYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sunriseassociation.org%2F&v=mq0nzBhy6To]

Hope in Action: How Bill Villafranco and the Toulmin Foundation Help Sunrise Shine

In this deeply moving conversation, Bill Villafranco shares his remarkable journey from personal tragedy to profound impact. As trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Bill has been a transformative force in Sunrise’s growth, championing initiatives from new camp openings to meaningful scholarship programs. He reflects on the moment that changed his life, how he honors Virginia's legacy through values-aligned giving, and why hope — not just as a word, but as a feeling — is at the heart of the Sunrise magic. This episode is a powerful reminder of what happens when love, purpose, and action come together.  Topics Covered:  • The origin story of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Bill’s role as trustee  • How a single conversation with Virginia shaped a $140 million philanthropic mission  • Bill’s personal journey following the loss of his son and his commitment to helping children and families  • Why Sunrise’s mission and leadership align so closely with the Toulmin Foundation’s values  • The impact of Sunrise camps on Bill’s own children and what it means to visit camp each summer  • The significance of the Virginia B. Toulmin Healthcare Scholarship and its legacy  • Launching a new women’s leadership scholarship within Sunrise — and why mentorship matters  • A life-changing week volunteering at Painted Turtle Camp and learning from a 10-year-old camper  • Reflections on hope, healing, and the emotional power of facing your fears  • Bill’s perspective on Sunrise’s future — and why he believes no child will be left behind    Links & Resources:  • Learn more about the 20 Summers of Sunrise Magic campaign → https://sunriseassociation.org/20-summers [https://sunriseassociation.org/20-summers]  • Learn about the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation - https://www.toulminfoundation.org/  [https://www.toulminfoundation.org/ ] About Sunrise Association:  The Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities — all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 69,000 children annually across 14 summer day camps, 85+ weekly in-hospital programs, and innovative virtual platforms.  Learn more → https://www.sunriseassociation.org/ [https://www.sunriseassociation.org/]