Kashmir Hyder ‘07 and Alex’s Sunnyside Playroom Creates Family Friendly Spaces in Cancer Centers

by Keah D Moffett ‘09

Cancer is a disease that has impacted many people’s lives, personally or through someone close to them. However, people like Alumna Kashmir Hyder ‘07 have decided to take charge and make a positive difference. She is a board member of Alex’s Sunnyside Playroom, which strives to provide comfort and support to families dealing with cancer. On November 29th, 2023, they celebrated the grand opening of their second playroom at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center- The James.

The idea for Alex’s Sunnyside playroom came from Hyder’s mom’s good friend Gwendolyn after her husband, Alex, got cancer. “Her husband passed away of cancer. He was an anesthesiologist. And when he passed away, what she remembered was that hospitals did not have places for families to come. They had two small children. And so when their kids would visit, they could only be in the room with him. So when he’s all hooked up, and her kids are young, like four and seven, you want to engage with them, you want to play with them, you want to talk to them. But he was relegated to the hospital towards the end. And so she was like, this is not helpful. So many families want to color with their kids, read to them, or walk around a specific space. But hospitals are very sterile places, so they don’t want people everywhere. So she wanted to create new spaces in cancer centers, specifically where families could go and spend time outside of the hospital because she thought that would have been very valuable for families.” Hyder was then asked to join the board to create these spaces. She has now served on the board for four years.

Their first location was at the hospital where Alex worked, Riverside Methodist Hospital.

This new addition to the James Cancer Hospital is more than just a physical space; it embodies the essence of compassion and unwavering support that defines Alex’s Sunnyside Playroom. Established as a beacon of hope, the playroom is a testament to the organization’s commitment to combat cancer and create a warm and welcoming haven within the confines of an adult cancer hospital.

Focused on family-friendly amenities and fostering a nurturing atmosphere, the playroom symbolizes Alex’s Sunnyside Playroom’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of patients and their loved ones. By providing comfort and care, the organization strives to positively impact the lives of those affected by cancer.

Hyder is very proud of working with a group that offers these spaces. “So many people are touched by cancer, and so it’s not just the centers. During Alex’s birthday month, we try to do something nice every day to find other cancer families and give them packages. You’re visiting hospitals, you’re doing things, you’re engaging with the community of cancer survivors and, a lot of times, widowers, people forget about them. It’s like everyone’s with you during the journey, And at the end, we’re trying to write nice notes and still engage them. Let them know that they’re these people are being thought about. But it’s something that I have been impacted by, like so many people. So it’s easily relatable, which is why I am part of that.”

To learn more about our mission and the impact we are making, please visit https://www.sunnysideplayroom.org/.