Camp Sunshine helps children, families battling cancer
(NECN: Amy Sinclair, Casco, Maine) – No one welcomes a cancer diagnosis, but when the patient is a child, it’s devastating for the entire family. That’s where Camp Sunshine comes in. For the last 25 years, the camp on Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine has provided a much needed break for families under the cloud of life threatening illness. While the people at this BBQ met just a few days ago, they’re already familiar friends, because every family here has a story like 7-year-old Scotty Davidson’s. Mom: “He fell down the basement stairs on his head. Sent him for an MRI they found a large complex mass that’s deemed inoperable at this point.” It’s a diagnosis that rocked their world. Mom: “Within 2 hours we went from didn’t know anything was wrong to a child with a big tumor.” For the last 25 years Camp Sunshine has been welcoming families with critically ill children with arms wide open. . Anna: “The mission is to provide a respite for families going through the toughest times of their lives.” What sets Camp Sunshine apart is recognition that cancer affects the entire family and the entire family could use a break. . Sometimes it’s obvious who’s sick, often it isn’t. Zach: “Here they get to be amongst kids with and without they’re not the sick kid they’re just another kid around the camp The uninitiated might think cancer is the topic of conversation, but with kids it’s often the opposite. This is the one place where they don’ t have to explain why they’ve missed so much school, they can just hang out. For parents it’s a different story, in this parents session the strain is evident and boxes of tissues make their way around the room. As painful as these moments are, this is often where healing begins. Eric still thinks about his son’s cancer every day…but Zach doesn’t Zach: “Every year you’re out of treatment you begin to define a new life for yourself.” With his tumor now stabilized for six years, Zach and his family return as volunteers to support other families. Because these families are already dealing with great financial and emotional strain, they don’t pay a dime to come to camp sunshine. Every family is sponsored by an individual, corporation or charity. Camp Sunshine’s founder says the camp couldn’t function without an enormous army of supporters and volunteers. When their session is over families leave with lasting friendships and a reminder to live in the moment. Dad: you can’t dwell on what you can’t do you gotta enjoy what you have given at this time.” The cancer diagnosis won’t go away, but thanks to Camp Sunshine, each family is a little stronger and more prepared for whatever lies ahead. For more information, visit CampSunshine.org
