Playset Donated To CT 1-Year-Old Fighting Cancer

SALEM, CT — Emma, a 1-year-old from Salem who is fighting Neuroblastoma, has received a playset donated by State Farm and the Roc Solid Foundation, according to a statement. The non-profit's Roc Solid On Demand program provides playsets to families fighting pediatric cancer anywhere in the contiguous United States.

Emma’s family received all the materials and hardware, as well as Play Kits of Roc Solid swag.

“This was hands down the best day Emma has had since her diagnosis on December 3, 2021,” Emma’s mother, Sarah, said in a statement. “My heart was filled with so much joy washing her up for bed, knowing she had a normal day of playing outside all day. Cancer truly didn’t cross my mind all day.”

Roc Solid Foundation's mission is to build hope for families fighting pediatric cancer through the power of play. The organization believes that “play defeats cancer, because when kids are playing, cancer is the farthest thing from their minds," according to the statement.

Additionally, with compromised immune systems during treatment, kids fighting cancer often cannot visit public places or interact with other children. A backyard playset provides them with a safe, germ-free place to play.

Roc Solid has been building backyard playsets since 2009, but since Roc Solid On Demand launched in 2020, the organization’s reach has expanded tremendously. They plan to provide at least 700 playsets to kids fighting cancer throughout the U.S. this year.

"State Farm has been an amazing partner to us," Roc Solid Foundation founder and pediatric cancer survivor Eric Newman said in a statement. "We are so grateful for their continued support as this new program has evolved, so we can continue to provide play to kids during a very difficult time."

“Giving back to communities where we live and work is a big part of who we are at State Farm,” adds State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst Jennifer Young. “We are excited to partner with Roc Solid and give Emma a safe place to play and make memories with her family.”