Rosie’s Love provides a variety of services during hospitalization, home rehabilitation and clinic visits for children dealing with cancer and their families. Below you’ll find more information about the services and how you can take advantage of them.

Kimo Bears
Backpacks
Sunday Coffee and Donuts
Meals
Hakuna Matata Family Getaways
Animation Workshop
Playroom
Online Fun

Kimo Bears are given to children recently introduced to chemotherapy. Kimo comes dressed in a hospital gown and baseball hat, and has a catheter attached to his chest to receive his own “chemo” at the same time as the child. Kimo even has the ability to lose his hair, simulating a common side effect of intravenous drug therapy. Research has shown that Kimo provides a helpful education, visual and play aid for kids, helping them to share and act out their frustrations.

If you’d like to sponsor a Kimo Bear, please email us.

Each August, Rosie’s Love distributes between 125–175 backpacks filled with school supplies to children with cancer. More often than not, the backpacks are not only about schoolwork as much as providing a fun distraction for kids.

“I would like to thank you for the backpacks that you donated to the children’s hospital.  I have von Willebrand disease and was not happy about going for my checkup last week.  While I was there, my doctor had the nurse give me one of your backpacks and I was so excited! I wore it out of the hospital and showed all my friends when I got home. The backpack made me forget about having to go back to the hospital for my visit and took my mind off of my bleeding disorder while I was there. Thank you.”
– Alex

Every Sunday, we deliver coffee and donuts (a special thank you to Dunkin’ Donuts on Central Avenue in Colonie) just for patients and family members in D7 North. We haven’t missed a Sunday in the past 10 years!

“My husband and I just wanted to say thank you for the donuts and GREAT coffee you provide on Sundays. Our son Gage has AL Leukemia and we have been here for 2 1/2 months. Your gifts have been a great thing to look forward to.  You have truly been a blessing to us. Thank you!”
– Gage’s parents

See Rosie’s Love in action

Rosie’s Love often provides meals and refreshments to hospitalized children and their families on weekends and special holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Hakuna Matata means NO WORRIES and each year, from May 14 through October, Rosie’s Love provides the use of a cabin for families to escape for a week of no worries. Last year alone, 16 families enjoyed the hospitality of the “White House” cabin.

The White House is located at Dagget Lake, which is located just outside of Warrensburg, NY and within a short driving distance to Lake George and Bolton Landing.

This fully furnished cabin comes with easy access to swimming, fishing, canoeing and more – the lake is within a two-minute walk of the cabin. There’s a well-maintained hiking path around the lake that offers breathtaking views of the Adirondacks. Altogether, stays at the White House provide the entire family a chance to get away and enjoy quality time with each other.

Visit the White House at www.daggettlake.com for more information on the facility.

Request more information about staying at the White House with your family.

“I just need to tell you how much we appreciate [Rosie’s Love]. Hakuna Matata has forever changed our lives. It is a time for retreat, reflection, intimate family time, enjoying things we love to do together, and most importantly relaxation. Please know that we are forever grateful because you have made it possible to have a tradition to look forward to each summer. You know how much traditions matter to all families, especially those who have come to understand that each memory is so important and life is fragile. Rosie’s Love is truly a gift.”
– Emily’s mom

Rosie’s Love is proud of our new program “Animation Workshop”. Clara Tomaz, a local new media artist and cancer survivor, knows from personal experience that artwork can be very therapeutic in the acceptance of all issues generated by cancer. She has begun to work directly with the children helping them to create their own unique digital animations.

When children are receiving treatment, hospital stays can be a long and frustrating experience – and Rosie’s Love makes that time a little easier. We purchase and donate art and craft supplies, TV/VCRs, videos, game systems and laptop computers for the children to use during their treatment at Albany Medical Center. Computers are located in the D7 playroom and in the Ronald McDonald House lounge. New items are being added regularly, so be sure to check back in the playroom and lounge if you have repeat visits to the medical center.

Visit the Kidzone for links to websites kids can visit for stimulating and fun learning experiences or to enjoy a bit of escape time. All sites have been screened for appropriate materials, and you can bookmark the Kidzone to make it easy to return.

If you’d like to request one of the services above, or something not mentioned here, please send us an email, or see a Child Life Specialist at the hospital and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.