Chai Lifeline welcomed New York State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, Chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Assemblyman Sam Berger, and Phil Fields, Secretary of the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee, to Camp Simcha on Monday, July 20, for a visit that gave state leaders an inside look at the positive life-changing impact the camp has on children living with serious illness.
The visit gave the delegation an opportunity to meet campers and counselors, tour the camp’s medical and recreational facilities, and see how Camp Simcha creates a place where children can simply be kids while receiving the specialized medical care and emotional support they need.
“We are grateful to Chairman Pretlow, Assemblyman Berger, and Phil Fields for taking the time to visit Camp Simcha,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “When leaders experience Camp Simcha in person, they see that this is far more than a summer camp. They see children reclaiming their childhood, families finding hope, and a community built around compassionate care. We appreciate their commitment to learning about the challenges these families face and the difference programs like Camp Simcha make every day.”
During the visit, Chairman Pretlow and Secretary Fields, the committee’s senior budget staff member, joined Assemblyman Berger in meeting with campers, families, volunteers, and staff, to learn how Chai Lifeline provides comprehensive support throughout every stage of a family’s medical journey.
The visit reflects Chai Lifeline’s ongoing relationship with New York State leaders. Last summer, the organization welcomed Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, among others, to Camp Simcha, offering state leaders a firsthand look at the hope, resilience, and joy that define the camp experience.
For children facing serious illness, Camp Simcha is far more than a summer camp. With a fully equipped medical center staffed around the clock by doctors, nurses, and specialists, campers safely take part in sports, swimming, music, arts, boating, and adventure programming, building friendships and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Operated by Chai Lifeline, Camp Simcha offers a medically supervised overnight camp experience for children with cancer, blood disorders, and other chronic illnesses, at no cost to families. Year-round, Chai Lifeline provides a wide range of programs and services delivering emotional, social, financial, and practical support to thousands of children and families facing serious illness, crisis, and loss.
