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Birthdays on Board
We bring the birthday to them.
Cancer can change where a birthday happens, but it doesn't get to cancel it. Birthdays on Board brings personalized celebrations directly to pediatric oncology patients spending their birthday in the hospital.
What is Birthdays on Board?
Birthdays on Board is DCC's mobile birthday party program for pediatric oncology patients who have to spend their special day hospitalized. Each celebration is personalized around the child's age, interests, favorite characters, colors and hobbies, then brought directly to them.
The goal is simple: for one day, the room should feel a little less like a hospital room and a lot more like their birthday.
Small goodies so siblings can celebrate too
Sibling Surprises
The little details that make it feel like their day
Personalized Touches
Handpicked Gifts
Chosen especially for the birthday child
Games, crafts, and fun for the celebration
Activities
Personalized to their theme of choice
Decorations
A special birthday message from DCC
Birthday Card
What's on Board?
Every Birthdays on Board celebration is built around the birthday child, with personalized details chosen to make the day feel unmistakably theirs.
We Bring the Party!
Whenever hospital policies and the child's medical circumstances allow, DCC will deliver, decorate, and set up the birthday celebrations ourselves.
If hospital restrictions, isolation precautions, or other circumstances prevent us from entering the room, we'll coordinate with Child Life or another authorized hospital team member to make sure the celebration still reaches the birthday child.
Families shouldn't have to decorate a hospital room or assemble their child's party themselves. We bring the celebration ready to go.
When Waiting Isn't an Option
For some children, waiting for the next birthday may not be possible.
If a pediatric oncology patient has a life-limiting prognosis and the family wants to celebrate early, Birthdays on Board can come to them.
These celebrations do not require an inpatient hospital stay or the standard advance notice. When feasible, DCC can bring the celebration to the child's home, hospital room, hospice setting, temporary housing, or another meaningful and medically appropriate location chosen by the family.
When time is limited, we don't wait for the calendar.
Who Can Celebrate?
Ages 17 and under
Current pediatric oncology patient
Inpatient on an oncology unit on their birthday
Active treatment is not required
Eligible again each year they qualify
Apply at least 30 days in advance when possible
Urgent or unexpected requests may be considered
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