Recently, the 3 South Playroom in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Main Hospital building officially reopened. Patients and their families, along with integral project team members, were invited to cut the ribbon on the playroom that was recently renovated. The playroom, located on an inpatient oncology floor, had been closed in order to transform the space into a safe and fun area to play, explore and just be a kid!
In early 2023, the transformation began on 3 South. It was a labor of love designed to build something more than just a room — the goal was to create comfort, spark smiles and inspire hope in our young patients and their families. The 3 South Playroom Refresh project became a reality because of the vision and dedication of so many who saw a need ... and took action.
Our inpatient cancer patients often face long, challenging days in a hospital setting. Their journey is marked by medical tests, treatments and ongoing courage required to fight their illness. But every child, no matter their circumstance, deserves a safe space to play, explore and just be a kid. That’s why this project was necessary: to create a sanctuary for play, healing and socialization, a place that feels welcoming and safe, where patients and families can find a slice of normalcy amid their hospital experience.
With the generous support of Dancing While Cancering, the Maddie Kramer Foundation — which saw the need for this type of space and stepped forward to fund the renovation, CHOP was able to embark on this journey together. Our inpatient oncology child life team worked closely with Jamella Simmons from facilities planning, bringing their combined insights into the unique needs of our young patients. They imagined a space where children could engage in developmentally appropriate play, connect with others and experience the joy of therapeutic groups.
Thanks to the dedicated leadership of Danielle Lee, Project Manager; Jamella Simmons, Planner; and the tireless efforts of Nicole Paul and Meridith Egan from our Foundation Relations team; as well as our Target and CHOP maintenance teams, the playroom blossomed into a vibrant, welcoming haven. This team did not just build a playroom — they crafted an experience for families, one that will be a source of joy and strength for years to come.
Now, when patients and families enter the 3 South playroom, they step into a space blossoming with color, light and warmth. It is a place that fosters healing in ways that medicine alone cannot. Here, children can find moments of joy, laughter and friendship, allowing them to recharge and reconnect with the innocence of childhood.
A special thanks to Dancing While Cancering, led by founders Scott and Pammy Kramer, who made a generous capital commitment in 2023 that enabled the remodeling of CHOP’s oncology playroom. Their efforts are in loving memory of their daughter, Maddie, who lost her battle with pediatric cancer.
A huge thank you to everyone involved and the unwavering commitment to bringing this dream to life. Because of you, the 3 South playroom is more than just a room — it is a place where hope, resilience and healing meet in the smiles of every child who walks through the door.
More about the Dancing While Cancering — CHOP relationship
Through its mission to bring joy to the hospital experience for children with cancer, Dancing While Cancering — The Maddie Kramer Foundation began its relationship with CHOP as an in-kind donor to CHOP’s Child Life Department. The Foundation donated Smile Packs for patients, which are welcome backpacks for newly diagnosed cancer patients containing items such as wireless speakers for music, wall decals for room decoration, and easily transportable musical instruments. Over the course of the organization’s relationship with CHOP, its interest to give more grew when it was presented with a capital opportunity for the Oncology unit in CHOP’s Philadelphia hospital.
In 2023, the Foundation pledged a naming gift of $100,000 to remodel and outfit an inpatient Oncology Playroom inspired by and in honor of their daughter and the Foundation’s namesake, Maddie, who never stopped playing, singing and dancing throughout her cancer treatment. In addition to the many patients and families who have already benefitted from the Foundation’s generosity, Dancing While Cancering’s philanthropic support of the Oncology Playroom upgrade will enhance and redesign a well-loved space where children can find a much-needed respite from their hospital rooms and a range of therapeutic and developmentally supportive play experiences.
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Recently, the 3 South Playroom in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Main Hospital building officially reopened. Patients and their families, along with integral project team members, were invited to cut the ribbon on the playroom that was recently renovated. The playroom, located on an inpatient oncology floor, had been closed in order to transform the space into a safe and fun area to play, explore and just be a kid!
In early 2023, the transformation began on 3 South. It was a labor of love designed to build something more than just a room — the goal was to create comfort, spark smiles and inspire hope in our young patients and their families. The 3 South Playroom Refresh project became a reality because of the vision and dedication of so many who saw a need ... and took action.
Our inpatient cancer patients often face long, challenging days in a hospital setting. Their journey is marked by medical tests, treatments and ongoing courage required to fight their illness. But every child, no matter their circumstance, deserves a safe space to play, explore and just be a kid. That’s why this project was necessary: to create a sanctuary for play, healing and socialization, a place that feels welcoming and safe, where patients and families can find a slice of normalcy amid their hospital experience.
With the generous support of Dancing While Cancering, the Maddie Kramer Foundation — which saw the need for this type of space and stepped forward to fund the renovation, CHOP was able to embark on this journey together. Our inpatient oncology child life team worked closely with Jamella Simmons from facilities planning, bringing their combined insights into the unique needs of our young patients. They imagined a space where children could engage in developmentally appropriate play, connect with others and experience the joy of therapeutic groups.
Thanks to the dedicated leadership of Danielle Lee, Project Manager; Jamella Simmons, Planner; and the tireless efforts of Nicole Paul and Meridith Egan from our Foundation Relations team; as well as our Target and CHOP maintenance teams, the playroom blossomed into a vibrant, welcoming haven. This team did not just build a playroom — they crafted an experience for families, one that will be a source of joy and strength for years to come.
Now, when patients and families enter the 3 South playroom, they step into a space blossoming with color, light and warmth. It is a place that fosters healing in ways that medicine alone cannot. Here, children can find moments of joy, laughter and friendship, allowing them to recharge and reconnect with the innocence of childhood.
A special thanks to Dancing While Cancering, led by founders Scott and Pammy Kramer, who made a generous capital commitment in 2023 that enabled the remodeling of CHOP’s oncology playroom. Their efforts are in loving memory of their daughter, Maddie, who lost her battle with pediatric cancer.
A huge thank you to everyone involved and the unwavering commitment to bringing this dream to life. Because of you, the 3 South playroom is more than just a room — it is a place where hope, resilience and healing meet in the smiles of every child who walks through the door.
More about the Dancing While Cancering — CHOP relationship
Through its mission to bring joy to the hospital experience for children with cancer, Dancing While Cancering — The Maddie Kramer Foundation began its relationship with CHOP as an in-kind donor to CHOP’s Child Life Department. The Foundation donated Smile Packs for patients, which are welcome backpacks for newly diagnosed cancer patients containing items such as wireless speakers for music, wall decals for room decoration, and easily transportable musical instruments. Over the course of the organization’s relationship with CHOP, its interest to give more grew when it was presented with a capital opportunity for the Oncology unit in CHOP’s Philadelphia hospital.
In 2023, the Foundation pledged a naming gift of $100,000 to remodel and outfit an inpatient Oncology Playroom inspired by and in honor of their daughter and the Foundation’s namesake, Maddie, who never stopped playing, singing and dancing throughout her cancer treatment. In addition to the many patients and families who have already benefitted from the Foundation’s generosity, Dancing While Cancering’s philanthropic support of the Oncology Playroom upgrade will enhance and redesign a well-loved space where children can find a much-needed respite from their hospital rooms and a range of therapeutic and developmentally supportive play experiences.
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