New Inclusive Playground for Children & Families Affected by Childhood Cancer

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Children’s Cancer Connection’s mission is to connect Iowa families affected by childhood cancer by providing opportunities that encourage relationships and strengthen community. Children’s Cancer Connection moved to its current location in December 2021 with a goal of providing program space that’s fully inclusive, including to visitors with mobility or sensory challenges. Thanks to Variety - the Children’s Charity’s lead gift, CCC was able to add an incredible outdoor recreation area, which provides even more opportunities for those affected by childhood cancer to have fun and just be kids.

At CCC programs and events, current and former oncology patients and their siblings get the chance to connect with other children who understand their unique journeys. The playground is available to any CCC family member who visits the facility or participates in a CCC program. The playground has handicap-accessible elements such as a ramp that leads up to a transferrable slide, as well as a transfer spinner and swing that will give CCC kids with mobility challenges like Abraham the opportunity to fully experience the joy of a playground!

Abraham was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma when he was just shy of turning four years old. He and his family have been a part of Children’s Cancer Connection since 2019. Abraham and his sister Lorena can’t get enough of the new Variety Star Playground! They both attended a week of CCC’s Day Camp just weeks after the playground opened.

“My kids look forward to Day Camp all year. They come home each time with new friends and it allows them to build relationships in between other CCC programs,” said their mother, Andrea. “The playground was such a great addition this year! It is so nice to have options for where the kids can spend their time. Abraham and Lorena had so much fun.”

Both kids chose the swing as their favorite feature. Explaining their joy in a way only children can, Lorena said she likes it “because I like to go high!” and Abraham said it’s his favorite “because I like to ride on it!”

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