Just like being back at camp, making s’mores in the backyard. We were honored to host a thank you/reunion party for the fantastic counselors of Camp Kesem OSU last week. Camp Kesem is a student run, volunteer organization which provides a summer camps experience to kids whose parents are fighting cancer. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and dedication to this program.
Danny just returned from another fun-filled week at Camp Kesem. I can’t thank the Ohio State students involved enough for their commitment to this program. Camp Kesem is an overnight camp for children who have a parent who has battled some sort of cancer. It is completely run and funded by OSU students who work incredibly hard to raise funds in order to be able to offer the camp FREE of charge.
With camps at run by college students across the country, the OSU chapter is quickly growing into one of the biggest.
In just its second year, the Camp Kesem OSU was able to offer spots to 65 campers, up from 21 in its inaugural year
“As the Program Director for CKOSU”, said Lauren “Mazipan” Ellis, “I could not possibly be more proud of the magical experience my students have created for the children of Ohio! Through their hard work and relentless pursuit to exceed goals set for them, they have surpassed my expectations time and time again and this is clearly evident in the passion they show for the campers they serve and the smiles they create.”
The funds were raised in just about every way imaginable from silent auctions, pub-crawls and the Make the Magic dinner event. Danny already can’t wait for next year.
RELAY FOR LIFE THIS WEEKEND
Also this week, I will be helping the Columbus Tri-Village Relay for Life kick off their 2013 event. The Relay starts at 6 pm at Jones Middle School in Upper Arlington. I will be on hand to make some opening remarks at 6:30 and help lead the survivors and caregivers lap. Although it is a busy weekend in Columbus (isn’t it always!) there is still time to get involved and help raise funds to fight cancer. It is a great honor to be a part of their efforts. For more info check out their website at http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=49606&pg=entry
I was thrilled today to mail off my annual donation to both the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer. It is always gratifying to support these two organizations that provide such excellent services and support to patients and their families. When I first created “The Year My Dad Went Bald” I wanted to be able to give back to those who helped me in my fight against cancer. Since I self-published the book, I am able to share a portion of my sales with these organizations. I am especially thrilled since the donations this year were three times the amount of last years donations, meaning we had a really good year getting The Year My Dad Went Bald out to the people who it might help. I grateful to all those who played at part in this very successful year, including the James Cancer Center at Ohio State, the Central Chapter Ohio of the LLS, Camp Kesem and Genentech, Inc. which has been a great supporter of the book.
The Year My Dad Went Bald 