Dedicated to children with cancer
 
     
 
 
     
  Mission:  
  The Sunshine Kids Foundation adds quality of life to children with cancer by providing them with exciting, positive group activities, so they may once again do what kids are supposed to do . . . have fun and celebrate life!  
     
  Vision:  
  To touch the lives of more kids with cancer.  
     
  Services:  
  - National trips, hundreds of children served each year  
  - Regional and local activities for thousands of Sunshine Kids and their families  
  - Web-based activities and networking  
  - All services provided free of charge to Kids, family members and participating hospitals  
     
       
  ORGANIZATION    
  - Founded 1982   National Spokesperson:
  - National office: Houston , Texas   Craig Biggio, Houston Astros
  - Eight employees    
  - Western Regional Office:
  National SpokesKids:
     Los Angeles, CA
- Ten Employees
- Participating hospitals nationwide
 
2009: Katie Sparks, Bakersfield, California
  James Ragan, Corpus Christi, Texas
  Jeannette Sanchez, Corona, New York
       
       
       
       
  Revenue and Expenses:    
 
  2008 Expenses   2008 Revenue
       
         
         
  History:      
 
 
 
  The Sunshine Kids Foundation was founded by Rhoda Tomasco in 1982 while she was serving as a volunteer in the pediatric cancer unit of a hospital in Houston, Texas. After seeing the loneliness and depression among children during their extended hospital treatments, Rhoda had a vision to provide these young cancer patients with opportunities to participate in positive group activities which promoted self-esteem, personal accomplishment, and just plain old fashioned fun!
 
         
         
         
     
  Board of Directors:    

  Claudia Noakes, Chairperson
Business Consultant
Prudential Real Estate & Relocation
Gladstone, Missouri

  John T. Montford
Senior Vice President, AT&T
San Antonio, Texas
       
 

Dr. Mike Abbott
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

  Deputy Chief Craig Taffaro
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Department
Harvey, Louisiana
       
 

Bob Allen
Sports Director, KTRK TV
Houston, Texas

 

Mike Thomas
Attorney At Law
Dallas, Texas

       
 

Johnny Carrabba
Owner, Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Houston, Texas

 

Stuart Toledano, M.D.
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

       
 

Tom Carruthers, III
President, Prudential Carruthers Realtors
Severna Park, Maryland

 

Rhoda Tomasco
Founder, The Sunshine Kids Foundation
Honolulu, Hawaii

       
  Dr. Akara Forsythe
John’s Hopkins Hospital
Bowie, Maryland
  Patrick Wayne
Chairman, John Wayne Cancer Institute
Santa Monica, California
       
       
       
  Medical Advisory Board:    

 

Stuart Toledano, M.D., Chairman
Director of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

 

Bill Copeck, R.N.
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Paterson, New Jersey

       
 

Richard Brown
Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama

 

Stephanie Vitolano, RN, CPNP
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York City, New York

       
 

 

   
       
  Executive Director :    

 

After serving as a volunteer for 15 years, G.W. Bailey became Executive Director in January, 2001. Since then, he has overseen the expansion of National Events that now include nearly a dozen destinations and involve volunteers nationwide.

G.W. became internationally known as a professional actor for his portrayal as Capt. Harris in the Police Academy film series. He is also widely recognized as Sgt. Rizzo from the M*A*S*H television series and for his other feature and TV movies, including the new TNT series The Closer.

G.W. was introduced to the Sunshine Kids by his goddaughter Brandy Aldridge who had been diagnosed with leukemia. His work has been dedicated to the memory of this remarkable young woman.

 
       
       
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