Honorary Riding Partners
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Join us on sample date
Join us on sample date
Baila
Age: 13
Baila's parents describe her as happy and always positive. This intrepid fifth-grader is determined that illness and disability will not stop her. Her future plans include getting married, having a large family, and becoming a teacher.
Peri
Age: 17
Peri was born with nemaline rod myopathy, the Eastern European form of muscular dystrophy. She needs both a wheelchair and respirator, but Peri still keeps up with her peers. She's a dancer, an artist, and an enthusiastic Camp Simcha Special camper. She can't decide between psychology, law, or children's advocacy as a career, but she is determined to make the world a better place.
Mikayla
Age: 11
When Mikayla was diagnosed with cancer this summer, one of her first stops after starting treatment was Camp Simcha. She is currently in treatment. When asked about her dreams, Mikyla said, "She wants her cancer to be gone for good - and she wants world peace!"
Anny
Age: 16
Anny's brain tumors robbed her of her sight, but not of her determination to develop her talents. For her Bat Mitzvah, she recorded a CD of her own songs to raise money for Chai Lifeline. This year she started in the music program at Frisch High School in New Jersey. She plans to become a professional singer, songwriter and actress.
Daniel
Age: 14
Daniel traveled from South Africa to attend Camp Simcha after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Now in the 7th grade, Daniel loves listening to music, assembling fantastic and complex Lego sets, and creating art. His dream job would integrate all these interests: he wants to design computer games.
Chana
Age: 12
Chana was born with epilepsy, and seizures have been part of her life since she was four. She is determined to enjoy life, and had the summer of a lifetime at Camp Simcha Special this year.
Sammy
Age: 10
Sammy is a smart and sweet kid who was diagnosed at 4 months old with Familial Dysautonomia (FD). He first met the amazing people of Chai Lifeline when he was in the hospital. They were there with a smile, a laugh, and toys that he could play with, which made his time there much easier. He is now 10 years old and is returning to Camp Simcha Special for his second summer. Read More
He loves to make havdalah candles, Mickey Mouse soap, and pottery at Camp Simcha as well as spend time with one of his new best friends Oren, who he met last summer. Sam loves soccer, Pokémon, and his favorite thing to do is swim.
Yehuda
Age: 10
Yehuda is a loving, smart and creative 10 year old boy. He enjoys learning Torah, acting out Star Wars scenes and spending time with his family and friends. Yehuda wants to be a Rabbi when he grows up.
Sarah Naomi
Age: 14
Sarah Naomi is the world's biggest Minion fan. If she could choose to be a minion when she grows up, she would. She loves art, family, and egg rolls. She hope to be a home designer some day. Two years ago, on the first night of Chanukah, Sarah Naomi's wish came true - she received a new heart through a miraculous heart transplant. Since that time, Chai Lifeline and Camp Simcha have become a strong part of her life. The opportunity to go to Camp Simcha makes her smile ear-to-ear.
Henny
Age: 17
I was born with a rare skin condition known as dermatosparaxis. My skin is extremely fragile and soft. Growing up always needing to be careful, refraining from many activities, getting countless bruises and always needing stitches was just a part of life. A life I got used to over time. At camp I met many friends who were like me. Read More
Although our diagnosis's differ in truth we are very much the same. There I met girls who also sat on the side by gym, who also had to be careful, and knew what it was like to be in the hospital. I have been blessed to attend camp for the past twelve years. But it wasn't until last year when I saw the power of the enormous support group I have collected over the years. In December of 2015 I got diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called ulcerative colitis. It attacks me and pretty much affects every moment of my day to day life. Both diseases continue to aggravate each other on a daily basis causing them both to be extremely complicated. Chai lifeline is an organization unlike any other.
It's not just two blissful weeks every summer. It's not Just special food brought to the hospital. It's not just the visits. It's the volunteers who get you through the year and make camp the special place it is. It's the shabbatons, events and retreats for the whole entire family. It's that bond that you share with girls who understand as you sit around in the bunkhouse comparing side effects
And your funniest hospital stories. It's the friends that will last you a lifetime. It's that beat in my heart that won't stop beating.
Jacob
Age: 4
Jacob is an adorable 4 year boy who loves to have fun. He likes riding outside on his tricycle and anything related to trains. His disarming grin and energetic personality make him a joy to be around. You'd never know from seeing Jacob that he suffers from TSC, a disease which causes seizures, and still needs a cure. Jacob is a tough little guy, and one day god willing he will overcome.
Baily
Age: 5
Baily is an adorable 5 year old girl who is battling Leukemia. Ever since she arrived home from her first summer in Camp Simcha, she has not stopped talking about camp. She is waiting anxiously for the first day of Camp Simcha 2018 to arrive.
Blima
Age: 15
Blima is a happy, popular teenager who has a rare medical condition. Her exacerbations make her dependent on the volunteers of hatzaloh to be able to continue her daily life and attend a regular school. Camp Simcha Special is the only camp with the medical facilities and staff that can accommodate a child with this condition. Blima is very hopeful that Hashem will give those researching her condition, the wisdom to come up with a complete cure for her condition.
