What We Do
Since 2022, Smiles from Sarah (SFS) has worked to bring smiles and healing to children in hospitals by expanding access to child life programs and therapeutic play — offering comfort and support during some of their toughest moments.
Therapeutic play helps Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) support children as they cope, grow, and communicate while facing illness, injury, or disability. We help Child Life teams access more resources, so more patients and families can benefit, building trust and connection one playful moment at a time.
It all begins with play.
The funds allow our team to be creative in their interventions and buy the things that insurance doesn't cover to truly improve the experience of patients and families at the hospital.
Child Life Manager
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Sarah was born with a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy and received a lifesaving heart transplant at age four. She spent much of her childhood in the hospital, facing countless procedures and long stretches away from home, school, friends, her dogs, and her beloved big brother. Sarah passed away in 2022 at the age of 17.
Sarah's Story
Sarah's Smile
Even the best medical care can't erase the fear and uncertainty a child feels in the hospital. For Sarah, Certified Child Life Specialists transformed those difficult days through therapeutic play, helping her feel safe, empowered, and able to smile when she needed it most.
Sarah's Spirit
Whether creating art, building Play-Doh volcanos, playing games, or simply spending time together, therapeutic play helped Sarah process her emotions, find her voice, and face each challenge with remarkable courage and resilience. Inspired by the difference Child Life made in Sarah's life, Smiles from Sarah is committed to ensuring more children experience the same healing power of play.
WHAT HOSPITAL STAFF SAY
"The kits have been amazing and a true game changer in the activities we ... provide our patients and the therapeutic interventions we ... have with our patients." - Manager of Child Life Services, Children's National
WHAT PARENTS SAY
"My girls really have been enjoying the worry monster, they have been using it to just put down all their worries on paper and out of their system. I can now get an inside peek into their little minds trying to process all that is going on. I think every child should have... such a useful tool." - Alicia, parent
WHAT CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS SAY
“I cannot thank SFS enough for putting together such an incredibly refreshing, powerful, and informative inaugural SFS Child Life Symposium. Truly one of the best conferences I've been to." - Siri Garrett, Child Life Specialist
Smiles from Sarah (SFS) proudly partners with children's hospitals to support child life programming and therapeutic play. Our support gives Child Life teams greater access to medical play supplies, calming toys, get-to-know-you games, and hands-on activities that help children cope, heal, and smile.
Our Hospital Partners
The funds allow our team to be creative in their interventions and buy the things that insurance doesn't cover to truly improve the experience of patients and families at the hospital.
Child Life Manager
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Our Leadership Team
Cheryl Fyock
Co-founder
Brian Fyock
Co-founder
Jacob Fyock
Board Member
Lisa Adams
Board Member
Doug Bushée
CORE Foundation Founder
Gillian Bushée
Board Member
Jill Scherer
Board Member
Gayle Severance
Board Member
Samira Thabet
Board Member
Sherry Polise-Hughel
Board Member & Certified Child Life Specialist
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Volcano
This is a volcano play kit. Kids build it with a Child Life Specialist. The play helps them cope with hospitalization -- the feelings, the stress, and isolation. This is just an example text of what could be a frequently asked question.
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Our Therapeutic Play Kits
Our curated collection of age-appropriate activities is designed for Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) to engage with patients. They contain all the necessary items to inspire young builders, artists, storytellers, and scientists while facilitating coping, emotional expression, and playfulness.
What Play Inspires
Through these activities, children develop age-appropriate skills to process their emotions, direct their care, share their voice, and advocate for their needs. Therapeutic play also fosters the relationship between children and their CCLS. Patients gain another advocate and vital member of their care team.
How Play Inspires
Building eruptive Play-Doh volcanos gives voice to fear and frustration. Hands-on art projects decorate a hospital room, bringing the comforts of home. Sensory jars offer relaxation, music and singing replace tears, and games provide a much-needed distraction.
“The sensory [jars] promote creativity and autonomy with a final product that can be used as an outlet for distraction or ... cool decoration for the room." - Samm Wilkens, Children's National
Sensory Jar
Creative Journal
Bedside Volcano
“The volcanoes … encourage kids to make a mess – something that can be characteristic of play at home or in a classroom, but clashes with the sterile nature of a hospital environment." - Samm Wilkens, Children's National