My team
My Story...
Camp Oochigeas has a special place in my heart. Before starting my own family, I spent five summers volunteering as a counsellor at Camp Ooch, a camp for children affected by cancer. The time I spent at camp still remains as one of my most wonderful memories. It's an experience you can't explain to others, you have to live it to understand it. Camp Oochigeas is such a magical place. It's a place where children affected by cancer can just be kids, enjoy new experiences, learn new skills, make new friends and enjoy two weeks of 'nothing but fun'! Even kids still in active cancer treatment can enjoy the magic of Ooch as there is an oncology staff to look after all their medical needs.
I always regarded these children as brave but after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and facing firsthand the challenges of cancer treatment, I have now come to fully appreciate their courage and resilience. The physical and emotional toll of cancer is tremendous, and these little warriors had to take it all on, at such a young age.
Since my volunteering years, Camp Oochigeas has grown leaps and bounds. It now operates during all four seasons providing activities in the community, in the hospital as well as through the overnight camp experience. Thankfully, camp has been able to continue throughout Covid by delivering non-stop activities, using a virtual platform.
Volunteering and fundraising are still at the heart of Camp Ooch and one of their main fundraisers is the "Sporting Life 10K" which will once again be virtual this year. In keeping with the present Covid safety protocols, participants set their own 10K route which can be accomplished anytime between May 9- May30.
My active cancer treatment was completed in mid-February and I have decided to participate in the 10K this year to not only help raise funds for Camp Oochigeas, but to also contribute to my own recovery program. I will admit....there won't be much "running" going on.....more like light jogging/brisk walking! ;) But....I've been getting out daily and working on slowly increasing my distance and improving my time. My plan is to complete my 10K run/walk/jog on May 29th, the anniversary of my final chemo, which was the first phase of my treatment last year.
Every contribution helps to provide the amazing magic that is found in the experience of Camp Oochigeas. So, if you are able, I'd welcome and appreciate any support you can offer to my fundraising efforts. I've set my goal high - $2500, which is the amount needed to send one camper to overnight camp! Thank you all in advance for your support!
Description
A diagnosis of childhood cancer changes life in an instant.
For affected kids and families, it can suddenly feel like everything is about cancer. Camp Ooch offers a hopeful journey, where kids with cancer can just be kids, and families connect with a community of strength and support when they need it the most.
They are much more than a summer camp—they offer the social cure for childhood cancer. Their camp-inspired programs deliver fun, friendship, and community to 1,900 kids and 745 families year-round, all across Ontario. As a response to COVID-19, virtual camp and in-hospital programs continue to reach kids and families living in isolation, wherever they are.
Please consider making a donation to my fundraising efforts—your gift will make a world of difference!
Cancer changes a child’s life. So does camp. And so can you. 
Achievements
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 11 | Bevalah | $54.24 |
| May 11 | Larisa Trabulsi | $100.00 |
| May 10 | Staddons | $215.26 |
| May 10 | Peggy Owen | $54.24 |
| May 10 | Lebarron Family | $107.91 |
| May 10 | Liane and Dave | $54.24 |
| May 10 | Karl and Linda Krokker | $54.24 |
| May 10 | Ruby Campbell-Colon | $22.03 |
| May 09 | Lynn + Jenny-Lynn | Undisclosed amount |
| May 09 | Vicki Sheppard | $54.24 |
