Our Story
At Riprap Friends, we provide in-home therapeutic social support services to children fighting cancer. Unfortunately, many kids undergoing chemotherapy and other medical treatments for cancer are isolated from their peers due to a compromised immune system. They are often unable to participate in regular childhood activities, such as going to school and recreational classes or playing with friends.
More About Us
The Mission
Our mission is to facilitate normalized day-to-day childhood experiences for immune-compromised pediatric oncology patients. We believe that socialization is critical for these children and have made it our goal to support engagement opportunities in their areas of interest. We also facilitate connections with experienced mentors and teachers at no cost to the families whom we work with.
Help With The Mission
We understand that a child's well-being depends on several critical factors, such as their ability to be creative, intellectually stimulated, socially engaged, and have the support of family and friends during their medical treatment. Riprap Friends intends to facilitate all these things in the name of bettering the overall health of childhood cancer patients.
Activities
Here are just a few of our various activities we offerTake A Look At The Impact We Have Made
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What people are saying
Our dedicated team of volunteers strive to touch the hearts of children battling cancer, as evidenced by the heartwarming testimonials of the families we have served.
“ Pediatric cancer treatment often focuses on medical procedures like chemo and surgeries, but it's important to consider the emotional and social challenges children face. Beyond the physical toll, kids with cancer may experience isolation, missing out on school, birthdays, and activities they love. Riprap friends provided support, joy, and opportunities for Sofia, a young cancer survivor, to pursue her passions and maintain a sense of normalcy, creating lasting memories for her and her family. “
Cecilia
"Working as a Friend with RipRap impacted my life greatly during the three years I spent working with five families. Witnessing the joy and escape that music and art brought to my patients, their siblings, and parents was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve ever had. RipRap’s unique approach to caring for families during the "in between" moments when treatments have stilled and they’re not receiving the onsite programming at NYC hospitals is truly life-changing for them and helped me grow as a compassionate and resilient person."
Christina Maxwell
"I am so grateful for the past five years working at RipRap Friends. I have gotten to know families who will inspire me for the rest of my life. RipRap has given me the opportunity to bring small moments of joy and levity into kid's and their family's lives who could really use it and I always feel so lucky to get to use music in that way, while also working in my field and continuing my own lifelong pursuit of music. RipRap allows me and other artists to use our craft to make a difference. RipRap Friends is an incredible and special organization that I'm very proud to be a part of."
Billy Libby
Lets Connect
We understand that a child's well-being depends on several critical factors, such as their ability to be creative, intellectually stimulated, socially engaged, and have the support of family and friends during their medical treatment. Riprap Friends intends to facilitate all these things in the name of bettering the overall health of childhood cancer patients.