Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Wisler.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Sunshine Kids Foundation was founded in 1982 by a volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center who saw firsthand the loneliness and depression that children battling cancer experience. Our Foundation’s goal is to provide these young cancer patients with opportunities to participate in positive group activities which promote self-esteem, personal accomplishment, and just plain old-fashioned fun! Today, children from hospitals across the country benefit from Sunshine Kids Foundation’s many programs – including week-long trips for teens, local activities for kids and families of all ages, in-hospital events, scholarship programs, back-to-school and holiday assistance programs, and so much more! Funded by personal contributions, corporations, and foundations, the Sunshine Kids continues to provide all of its activities completely free of charge to the children and their families.
I personally became involved with the organization in 1998 when I was hired for an Administrative role that quickly rolled into the opportunity to plan and implement events for the kids and their families. In 2020, I was given the great honor to lead this incredible organization and team.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Sunshine Kids has been around for more than four decades, and while our mission has always been clear, the journey hasn’t always been easy. Like any nonprofit dedicated to serving children and families facing something as difficult as childhood cancer, we’ve had seasons where resources were tight, needs were great, and the world around us shifted in ways we couldn’t predict.
There have been challenges navigating the impact of the pandemic on in-person programming and, in general, ensuring we can keep expanding our reach as more families rely on us for support. We’ve also faced the ongoing challenge of managing a national organization from a relatively small team that pours its heart into delivering the highest quality experiences for these kids.
But every struggle has pushed us to be more creative, more resilient, and more intentional. Our supporters, volunteers, and hospital partners have been with us every step of the way. And most importantly, the kids remind us why the work is worth every hurdle. Their strength fuels ours.
So while the road hasn’t always been smooth, it has been meaningful. And every challenge has shaped Sunshine Kids into the strong, compassionate organization it is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sunshine Kids is a Houston-based, national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exciting, positive group activities and opportunities for children with cancer so they may once again do what Kids are meant to do… have fun and celebrate life.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories goes back to simple moments of being surrounded by people I loved. I remember long summer evenings spent outside with family and neighborhood friends just running around until it got dark, laughing, and feeling completely carefree. Those moments have always stuck with me.
I think that’s part of why the mission of Sunshine Kids resonates so deeply with me.
Every child deserves to have memories like that. Just moments where they can simply be kids, even in the middle of something as hard as cancer. Helping create those experiences now feels like a full-circle privilege
Pricing:
- Follow us on social media – Instagram (@sunshinekidsorg)
- Visit our website – www.sunshinekids.org
- Inquire about how you can help our mission
- I encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about childhood cancer. It’s not just a disease — it impacts the entire family, from siblings to parents, in ways that aren’t always visible. By understanding the challenges these children and their families face, we can be better advocates, supporters, and community members. Even small steps, like learning about the types of cancers that affect children, the treatment process, or the emotional and social needs of these families, make a big difference. Awareness leads to action, and action leads to hope for these kids
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunshinekids.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinekidsorg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSunshineKidsFoundation
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunshine-kids-foundation/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSunshineKids
