Care Camps Foundation announced a special partnership with the Mattel Children’s Foundation through its Play It Forward philanthropic initiative in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, bringing the joy and comfort of play to children with cancer participating in hospital-based and virtual pediatric oncology camp programs.
Through a generous in-kind donation, Mattel Children’s Foundation provided more than 1,000 Brave Barbie and Brave Ken dolls, along with an assortment of other Mattel toys, to hospital-based programs and virtual “Camp-in-a-Box” programs supported by Care Camps Foundation. These programs extend the impact of pediatric oncology camps beyond the traditional camp setting, reaching children who may be receiving treatment in the hospital or who are unable to attend camp in person.
The Brave Barbie and Brave Ken dolls were specially created to recognize the courage of children experiencing hair loss while facing cancer and other serious illnesses. Together with the additional assortment of Mattel toys, the donation provided children with opportunities to play, imagine, create and simply enjoy being a kid during incredibly challenging circumstances.
“Partnerships like this allow us to bring moments of joy to children wherever they may be in their cancer journey,” said Jenna Berneck, executive director of Care Camps Foundation. “Whether a child is able to attend camp, is receiving treatment in a hospital or is participating from home, every child deserves opportunities to play, connect and experience the childhood moments that cancer can too often interrupt.
We are incredibly grateful to Mattel Children’s Foundation for helping make those moments possible.”
Mattel’s Play It Forward philanthropic initiative has supported thousands of nonprofit organizations and millions of children and families since 1978. Through the initiative, Mattel harnesses the power of its brands, resources and employees to positively impact children and communities around the world.
For Care Camps Foundation, the partnership helps further its mission to support pediatric oncology camps and programs that give children with cancer opportunities to experience joy, belonging and the healing power of the outdoors at no cost to their families.
“We are so grateful for Mattel Children’s Foundation’s generosity and commitment to children,” said Berneck. “Seeing the smiles these toys have already created is a beautiful reminder that play can provide comfort, connection and a much-needed sense of normalcy for a child going through cancer treatment.”
