Cancer Bridges applications close soon

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

May 16, 2025

Izzy Taylor, along with her parents Tim and Tiffany, stands outside Cancer Bridges in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Izzy was a camp counselor. Norman Lander Sr., died of lung cancer in November of 2021.

Cancer Bridges provides two free summer camp programs to support children and teens affected by cancer.

These camps offer an environment where individuals impacted by the disease, whether through personal experience or the diagnosis of a loved one, can find connection, healing, and enjoyment during the summer months.

The first camp, Camp Clubhouse, is designed for children ages 5- 12 and will be held twice this summer.

From July 14 to 18 in Greensburg, with sessions running Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. and on Friday 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

A month later, the second camp will be held Aug. 7- 8 in Pittsburgh’s Strip District from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The camp features various activities, including exercises designed to assist in emotional well-being, engaging STEAM workshops that allow creativity and learning, exciting games, community visits, and daily support groups.

All meals are provided, making sure participants can focus on the experience itself.

For older youth, ages 13- 17, Cancer Bridges offers a Teen Camp on Aug. 7 and 8 at their facility located at 2816 Smallman St. in Pittsburgh.

This program will include therapeutic programs and team-building activities in a safe environment.

Registration for both camps is open until the first week of June or until capacity is reached, emphasizing the importance of early sign-ups.

The camps are designed to accommodate as many participants as possible, and early registration guarantees a spot for the child or teen interested.

Additionally, the camps are seeking adult and junior volunteers to help facilitate activities and create supportive surroundings.

Volunteering offers a meaningful way to help out families affected by cancer and to develop leadership skills in a rewarding environment.

Interested families and volunteers can obtain more information or register by reaching out via email to Cancer Bridges or by calling 412-338-1919.

These summer camps highlight Cancer Bridges’ commitment to providing support and creating hope for young individuals navigating the challenges of cancer’s impact.

About the Contributor

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer