“When my daughter was diagnosed, Wheels was there to comfort her. She built a relationship with the Wheels volunteers, she was so comforted by you all that she forgot all her pain. I am so grateful to Wheels for caring.”
Sunrise on Wheels
Can you imagine a child not wanting to leave a hospital because they’re having so much fun? At Sunrise on Wheels, we see this every day!
Sunrise on Wheels is an innovative initiative that provides children with fun-filled Sunrise excitement while awaiting and undergoing treatment in pediatric oncology units at participating hospitals. Siblings and parents are always welcome and encouraged to participate.
Caring and dedicated Sunrise staff and volunteers happily wheel a rainbow-colored trunk bursting with toys, games, crafts and activities right into many of our affiliated hospitals, transforming what can often be a difficult and scary day into a day of magical camp-like fun. Younger kids can be found giggling as they are creating huge towers with Legos and Magnatiles, coloring their favorite super heroes and cartoon characters, arranging action figures or making fun shapes with Play-Doh. Older children rush in to join a laughter-filled game of UNO with their favorite friends and volunteers, or may instead choose to delve into an intricate art project. And of course, everyone’s day may include “whipping up” some gooey slime!
Participating Hospitals
- Advocate Children’s Hospital Park Ridge
- Rush University Medical Center
The Wheels team complements hospital staff by engaging patients in one-on-one activities and fun, while at the same time insuring that siblings feel recognized and important and offering a much-needed break to moms, dads and caretakers.
Sunrise on Wheels is sponsored by our incredibly generous donors who support our mission to deliver endless smiles, continuous laughter and hours of fun and to children undergoing treatment, their siblings, parents and families.
We have also developed exciting virtual programming for patients and families to enjoy while in the hospital or at home through our Wheels Up program! These videos bring travel, arts and games together. Whether highlighting topics like Playful Penguins and Festivals Around the World or locations from Washington State to Morocco and New Zealand, these half-hour episodes provide a mix of real-life exploration, arts & crafts and a fun trivia game.
Sunrise on Wheels
If you are interested in bringing Sunrise on Wheels to your hospital or volunteering with us, please contact Jen Zislis.
Jen Zislis
Director of Operations, JCC Chicago
jzislis@jccchicago.org
847-763-3627