Providing Hope, Inspiration and the Will to Fight One More Round
Camp Balloon Launch
For more than 28 years, Camp Happy Days has offered a comprehensive, year-round support system for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. During this time the organization has grown from serving a handful of local children with a single program to serving more than 200 children throughout South Carolina with programs like Camp, Family Camp and our annual Disney Trip – at no cost to our families.
Need for Programs and Services
Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death for children ages 0-14. There are between 150 and 200 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed each year in South Carolina and this number has increased consistently by 1% each year for the past 20 years. While 78% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive, even survivors face numerous challenges and an uncertain future. Nearly 60% to 70% of children who are cancer survivors are at high risk for developing cognitive disabilities as a direct result of their treatment and in addition, cancer survivors also face the risk of future complications which include the possibility of reoccurrence, problems with organ development and function, brain function, and psychological and emotional problems.
From programs that offer respite from a child’s day-to-day worries of cancer to those that strengthen family bonds and provide support, each of our programs are designed to help improve the emotional, physical, and psychological health of children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
At Camp Happy Days, we believe that every child battling cancer in South Carolina should have an opportunity to benefit from a summer camp experience and other life-changing programs regardless of family income or economic status. Every program we offer is free to the families we serve and we are challenged to raise 100% of the funds needed to support them.
Currently there are 131children with cancer being served in our programs. The cost of sending one child to camp in the summer of 2010 is $700. In addition to camp, the families have access to our family crisis assistance program which offers them help with smaller bills, meals at the hospital, and money for gas.
Camp Happy Days – A Summer Camp Experience for Kids with Cancer
Camp Parasailing
Camp Happy Days gives children with cancer and their siblings a chance to leave worries of hospitals and painful treatments far behind as they plunge into six days of more head-spinning, heart-pounding fun than a child could ever imagine. From parasailing, boating, and fishing, to the challenges of the high ropes course and a 50-foot climbing wall, children have a chance to explore, learn, meet new friends, discover self-confidence, and accomplish things they never dreamed were possible.
One of the most important purposes of Camp is to create an opportunity for children fighting cancer to meet and bond with others who know what its like to lose your hair, be sick from treatment or even lose a limb to cancer. These special friendships help critically ill children learn that no matter how different they feel, they are not alone in their fight. Opportunities like this also foster self-esteem and help these children build networks of support which will help inspire and encourage them when they need it most.
What cancer takes away, Camp Happy Days gives back – lots of smiles, laughter and the pure carefree joy of being a kid. It is a powerful, life-changing experience that helps children fighting cancer live their dreams, realize their potential to overcome adversity and discover a renewed sense of pride and self-confidence. It is a unique unparalleled experience which offers the priceless gift of hope, inspiration and the will to fight one more round.
Providing Hope, Inspiration and the Will to Fight One More Round
Camp Balloon Launch
For more than 28 years, Camp Happy Days has offered a comprehensive, year-round support system for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. During this time the organization has grown from serving a handful of local children with a single program to serving more than 200 children throughout South Carolina with programs like Camp, Family Camp and our annual Disney Trip – at no cost to our families.
Need for Programs and Services
Pediatric cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death for children ages 0-14. There are between 150 and 200 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed each year in South Carolina and this number has increased consistently by 1% each year for the past 20 years. While 78% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive, even survivors face numerous challenges and an uncertain future. Nearly 60% to 70% of children who are cancer survivors are at high risk for developing cognitive disabilities as a direct result of their treatment and in addition, cancer survivors also face the risk of future complications which include the possibility of reoccurrence, problems with organ development and function, brain function, and psychological and emotional problems.
From programs that offer respite from a child’s day-to-day worries of cancer to those that strengthen family bonds and provide support, each of our programs are designed to help improve the emotional, physical, and psychological health of children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
At Camp Happy Days, we believe that every child battling cancer in South Carolina should have an opportunity to benefit from a summer camp experience and other life-changing programs regardless of family income or economic status. Every program we offer is free to the families we serve and we are challenged to raise 100% of the funds needed to support them.
Currently there are 131 children with cancer being served in our programs. The cost of sending one child to camp in the summer of 2010 is $700. In addition to camp, the families have access to our family crisis assistance program which offers them help with smaller bills, meals at the hospital, and money for gas.
Camp Happy Days – A Summer Camp Experience for Kids with Cancer
Camp Parasailing
Camp Happy Days gives children with cancer and their siblings a chance to leave worries of hospitals and painful treatments far behind as they plunge into six days of more head-spinning, heart-pounding fun than a child could ever imagine. From parasailing, boating, and fishing, to the challenges of the high ropes course and a 50-foot climbing wall, children have a chance to explore, learn, meet new friends, discover self-confidence, and accomplish things they never dreamed were possible.
One of the most important purposes of Camp is to create an opportunity for children fighting cancer to meet and bond with others who know what its like to lose your hair, be sick from treatment or even lose a limb to cancer. These special friendships help critically ill children learn that no matter how different they feel, they are not alone in their fight. Opportunities like this also foster self-esteem and help these children build networks of support which will help inspire and encourage them when they need it most.
What cancer takes away, Camp Happy Days gives back – lots of smiles, laughter and the pure carefree joy of being a kid. It is a powerful, life-changing experience that helps children fighting cancer live their dreams, realize their potential to overcome adversity and discover a renewed sense of pride and self-confidence. It is a unique unparalleled experience which offers the priceless gift of hope, inspiration and the will to fight one more round.