Gulf Coast Cancer Kids Go To Camp

Volunteers Summer Camp Camp Rap-A-Hope finished its 23rd season this past weekend. The camp provides a week-long summer experience for any child who’s even been diagnosed with cancer.

by Chad Petri

Published: Mon, June 09, 2008 - 4:30 am CST Last Updated: Mon, June 09, 2008 - 9:22 am CST

On the water at campgrounds in West Mobile, dozens of kids are trying to cool off and have a good time. Spirits are high. Camp Rap-A-Hope Campers range in age from 7 to 17 and they all are being either treated for cancer or are in remission.

“They're teach you to swim and every year they'll have something like a theme, this year they're having a circus setting,” says 4th Grade Camper Deanna Heard. “It's fun because they know how you've all been; they can be your friends because they're all nice.”

Here cancer's the norm rather than the thing that makes you stand out. Campers are treated to a week of fun, games and normalcy.

“You come here and you realize there's more than just a hospital bed you realize that you can have fun again and as a counselor to show those kids that it's an amazing experience,” says Counselor West Sanders.

He has a special connection to this place. He's one of the few here who's a leukemia survivor and former camper. West says other campers seek him out

“So when they find one that was they really look up to you and they're like wow can I come back, so camp doesn't end when you're 17,” says West.

Most other counselors here aren't cancer survivors but those interested in medicine and helping others with the illness.

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carl Says:

Mon, Jun 09, 2008 at 6:27 am

I’ve been there and know what it feels like, Chemo and all and I would feel so sorry for babies and kids going through it. When I was able I used to send a check each month to ST.JUDES for kids to help ease the pain of seeing kids having to go through it. NICE GOING CHAD, I think you have did another good job for the public.