Jenna's Rainbow Foundation is committed to help support the children, families, and communities dealing with the challenges of combating pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.
Achievements At A Glance 2008-2009
Camp Sunshine
Once again, JRF helped fund 42 families from all parts of the United States, to attend one week of camp at Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. Camp Sunshine provides families whose child has a brain tumor much needed respite, comfort, and care in a medically supervised and therapeutic environment at no cost to the family.
Camp Dream Street
The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades-JRF continues to fund the annual carnival at Camp Dream Street in August. Camp Dream Street is a one-week tuition free day camp held annually for children struggling with pediatric cancer or other blood disorders and their siblings.
Teen Recreation Room
Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center
JRF has funded the establishment of a teen recreation lounge on the oncology floor giving hospitalized teens the comforts of home with state of the art video games, computers, televisions, and other forms of entertainment.
This year we have expanded our services on the oncology floor at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center.
- Art Cart on wheels filled with a variety of arts & crafts supplies and projects was donated with a grant from Teen Philanthropy. The children and teens on the oncology floor share in these activities. The cart is wheeled to those confined to their room and so every child can benefit from this. This year we will continue to restock the Art Cart.
- A Library consisting of over 200 books that were donated by children in our community. JRF added nine annual magazine subscriptions for kids, teens and parents.
Jenna's Corner
New this year, Jenna's corner is an online community affiliated with the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation. This service connects over 3,000 children nationwide who are affected by pediatric brain tumors. It provides them and their families with accurate and critical information, as well as a connection to some of the nation's top leading medical experts.
Holiday Toy Drives
JRF continues its annual toy drives held in the Tenafly elementary schools, Smith and Maugham. Toys and gift cards are donated to children and their siblings facing the challenges of brain and spinal cord tumors. Toys are distributed both at a holiday party and bedside in area hospitals.
Direct Financial Grants to Families
JRF gives grants to meet specific financial challenges facing families undergoing treatment to fill the gaps where other organizations could not step in. Grant amounts have varied depending on need and specific circumstances. Referrals must be made by a professional team to indicate need and evaluate.
Information/ Referral Services
JRF gives newly diagnosed families via phone, and email helping to insure that families receive access to optimal care, information, and resources.
PORTRAITS OF FAMILIES
During and after Jenna's two year struggle with a brain tumor, the Kamil family experienced an outpouring of community support. As an outgrowth of this caring, Jenna’s Rainbow Foundation was formed. Friends and family have sustained the level of fundraising over the years to help families in crisis. We are grateful that JRF can assist such families and provide supplemental assistance to fill the void other pediatric brain and spinal cord tumor foundations are unable to address.
The following are examples of how JRF donations are helping those in need. Privacy of all individuals has been maintained.
- In the fall of 2003 Jenna's Rainbow Foundation was asked by Beth Israel North to provide aid for a family with a 5 year old boy with an inoperable brain tumor. The only way the child could leave the hospital and be attended to at home was if JRF funded homecare. Help was particularly essential in this situation because the child’s father had died of cancer several months before and there were two healthy siblings at home as well. Everyone who donated time and money to JRF helped this child spend the remainder of his life at home with his family. A last wish was met and an unbearable journey, in some respects, eased.
- JRF assisted a family who required childcare for two children at home while their toddler was undergoing months-long intensive treatments for an otherwise fatal tumor at Tomorrow’s Children at Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, New Jersey. At the Spring Fair in May, the family came by to express their appreciation to JRF for the generous funds provided during their crisis.
- JRF received a request to help a high school boy who over the years has been affected by several brain tumors. As a result of these recurrences, he is quadriplegic and requires round-the-clock nursing care. Only 50% of homecare is paid for by the government and there is no health insurance available to help cover a child receiving this level of nursing care at home. JRF has been able to supplement the cost and meet the challenges of shrinking insurance coverage. Our assistance allows this young man to live at home with his loving family, continue to go to school and be an inspiration to all who know him.
We at Jenna's Rainbow Foundation feel blessed to work with supporters and friends in the community who play a role in helping families in profound need. On behalf of these families, we thank you for continuing to make the world a better place for children with spinal cord tumors.