Better Day Buddies

The Better Day Buddies program began in February, 2008, at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. It is an off shoot of the Cancer Wellness Spa of Greater Rochester, concentrating on children while receiving outpatient treatment at the Children's Hospital. It is a program that provides diversionary activities in the outpatient treatment room for children ages 2-20. It is a 4-day a week, 2-volunteer a day program for children and their families.
The program provides craft bags which include a book and project which the child takes home. The volunteers read the stories and facilitate the craft project with the children. These bags are provided by CompassionNet Excellus/Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Better Day Buddies also provide a Young Audiences performer to the children twice a month. This is being provided through the generous donation of Maxine Peters' family, a beloved volunteer and close family friend. These performers have done storytelling, caricatures, poem writing and music for the children and their families.

Better Day Buddies has also provided electronic games for the children to use and recently installed a monthly magazine program both for younger children and teens. Lunches are provided to the patients and their families free of charge. These lunches are being provided by: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Coca Cola and Rich's.

Better Day Buddies' volunteer director is Lisa Curwin. Please visit the Cancer Wellness Spa's web site for more information on volunteering for the program.

http://CancerWellnessSpa.com