The faces of Maimonides Cancer Center’s pediatric patients were filled with joy and anticipation as they attended the annual “Oh, What Fun” holiday party on Dec. 18 at the center in Sunset Park.
Dozens of patients with hematology-oncology conditions, chronic blood disorders and chronic infusion needs gathered in the cancer center’s conference room, eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival. Balloon and face-painting artist Lavinia Solan and “Looney Louie the Clown” entertained patients alongside their parents and siblings before St. Nick made his grand entrance to cheers and hugs.
Nine-year-old Mason has been a patient at Maimonides Cancer Center for the past seven years and, aside from the presents, was most excited about the holiday break. His mother, Angelica, told Brooklyn Paper that Mason looks forward to the event every year.
“It lifts the spirits of all the children that are unfortunately going through really hard times right now, and it helps them realize that people out there care for them,” Angelica said. “It makes him feel better seeing all the other kids and knowing he’s not the only one going through something right now; it helps them all in a way.”
Alica Thompson’s 4-year-old son, Zakari, has been a leukemia patient at Maimonides since last year. She said the event brought her as much joy as it did her son.
“After all that the kids are going through, and just to see a smile on their face, especially my son’s, it makes me happy, and it brings joy in me as well. [Maimonides] is doing a superb job,” Thompson said.
Shari Feinberg, a nurse practitioner and team leader of the pediatric hematology and oncology team who organized the event, said Operation “Gift Giving” began in November, when patients submitted wish lists for three presents — up to $100 each — that hospital staff purchased for Santa to distribute.
For Feinberg, who has worked with children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders for more than 35 years, the event is the highlight of the year. She said it reflects Maimonides’ “whole-child” approach, which focuses on patients’ mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
“I spend so much time with the kids and their families up in the infusion center with them in the sick role, coming in because they’re not feeling well, coming in because they need treatment,” Feinberg explained. “Today, I get to spend the evening with them, just being kids, no ports access, no meds hung, just fun.”
The event is just as meaningful for parents and siblings, who also received gifts, Feinberg said.
“There are some times when you’ve had a bad year, you’ve had a lot of complications, you’ve unfortunately relapsed; we just need to make the holidays a little extra,” she said.
Dr. Ludovico Guarini, associate chair of pediatrics and director of pediatric hematology and oncology at Maimonides Children’s Hospital, said the party gives patients a chance to focus on joy rather than illness.
“We do take care of kids that have diseases that are threatening to them and the families, and the fact that they can be here in the same environment where they get treated, but this is a day to be happy, to be a child,” Guarini said, noting that serious illnesses affect the entire family.
“The ability we have to let the siblings participate in something like this gets them closer to the sibling who has the illness. They understand it better. They don’t feel left out. So it’s got huge positives in what we do,” he explained.
Christopher Safi, founding president of Little Golden Light, partnered with Land Rover Brooklyn, part of Collective Auto Group, to purchase hundreds of additional toys. The toys were displayed in the decorated conference room, transformed into a holiday store where children and their siblings could browse and select even more presents.
Safi said he could relate to the patients and their families. Diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma as a toddler, he endured multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments before launching his organization to help children facing similar battles.
“One of the most important thing that was so rewarding to me is that when I was in this hospital room and going through treatment, and for somebody to come into the room and think of me [while] going through a rough day, a rough month, and somebody to think of me and bring me like toys and to bring me like candy and food, it was just the smallest act of kindness that make me feel like I’m included in society,” Safi said.
Will Berardino, vice president of Collective Auto Group, said the company donated $100 worth of toys for every car sold in December. He said the group supported Safi’s organization because it knew the donations would go directly to children.
“It’s obviously something extremely rewarding to do and exciting,” Berardino said. “Charity is a great thing, but knowing where it goes is why we’re so supportive of [Safi] and his team and Little Golden Light, because we know it ends up in the hands of kids. We know it’s meant with the greatest of intentions.”
The Eugene Zitwer Foundation, also known as the Uncle Yuddy Fund, provided the entertainment, food and toys for the holiday event.
Zitwer’s daughters, Barbara Zitwer and Mary Zitwer Millman, said their father loved children and that the all-volunteer organization continues his spirit.
The holiday season is a time to build memories, Barbara Zitwer said.
“It’s such a joy to see the looks on these kids’ faces. They build memories, good memories, of wonderful times. And that’s really what it’s about, making people happy under the worst situation,” she said.
