Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Camp Hobé


Hi Moms! We wanted to introduce ourselves to you and tell us about Camp Hobé, our low-cost psychosocial support program.

Camp Hobé is a special summer camp designed for kids currently undergoing cancer treatment, as well as for their siblings. Our goal is to create an atmosphere that enhances self-esteem, fosters independence and friendships, and creates a feeling of belonging. Camp accomplishes this by giving kids the opportunity to experience activities they would normally be unable to do because of their own or their sibling’s treatment. Most importantly, they build lasting friendships with peers who understand the life situation.

We offer three sessions: a 2-day day camp session for children ages 4-7, a 5-day overnight session for ages 6-12, and another 5-day overnight session for ages 12-19. At camp, kids participate in a variety of activities including swimming, archery, hiking, arts and crafts, creative writing, science, drama, music, rock climbing, field games, scuba diving, and our new high and low ropes course (challenge by choice). We have a full medical staff onsite 24/7, to ensure everyone’s safety.

It costs us approximately $625 per camper to provide the overnight sessions. However, we know that many camper families could not afford this, because of the incredible financial burden of cancer. And we strongly believe in never turning away any camper because of financial need. For these reasons, we charge only a nominal registration fee of $15 per camper for the day camp and $35 per camper for the overnight sessions. We also offer fee waivers for families with financial need. We raise funds from donors within the community to cover our remaining costs.

Our goal this year is to increase awareness about Camp and we are focusing much of our efforts on social media. You can help! To stay up-to-date about what we are doing in the community and to show your support of our cause, like our Facebook page, Camp Hobé! You can also support our efforts through Facebook Causes or visit www.camphobekids.org to learn more. 

Wapiti Mama, Director, Camp Hobé, 801-631-2742, wapitimama@camphobekids.org
Becca Larsen, Volunteer, becca.larsen@camphobekids.org




Thursday, June 28, 2012

Will You Be My Voice?


Each of these kids lives in Utah!
Will you be their voice?



Please donate $10 today!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Blood donors desperately needed!

The blood supply in Utah (and the Midwest and Northwest, as well) is critically low! You can go here to read more: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=20794107&title=blood-donors-desperately-needed&s_cid=queue-16. All blood types are appreciated, but there is a specific need for types O-, O+, B-, and A-.


All of us Cancer Moms know firsthand that blood donations are literally lifesaving. Our cuties wouldn't be here today without them. We also can imagine just a little too well for comfort being the ones sitting in the hospital waiting for blood that isn't available. It is a terrifying feeling. Please make an appointment today to go give blood, if you can. If you are unable to donate blood consider volunteering a few hours at a blood drive or spreading the word about the need for donors.

And did you know that in many states, there are different blood donation banks that supply blood to different facilities? Here in Utah, the exclusive blood supplier of our cuties at Primary Children's Medical Center is ARUP Blood Services. (They are also the sole blood provider for Shriner's Children's Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, South Jordan Health Center, and the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics.) You can go here to schedule an appointment for a donation. Or for a more general blood donation, you can go here to the American Red Cross.

Give blood and give life!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

How did you find out your child had cancer?

Your world can change in an instant.  Some things come without warning.  No one ever imagines that they'll hear the words, "your child has cancer."  For these moms, it was in the most unimaginable ways:

"I was coming home from a class at Weber State when my husband called me to say that our child had a mass in his brain." -Cindy P.

"I was lying next to her in a hospital bed." -Kristin T.

"My child was in an MRI which was supposed to be 30 minutes which turned into an hour with 'additional images'.  They sent me to opthalmology and said I should probably call my husband to meet me.  I knew the results were bad at that point." -Lisa K.

"I was in a hospital room with my son when the doctor came in and broke the news." -Becki L.

"After being sick for a week, our local clinic drew my son's blood and sent us to the hospital ER where a doctor walked in and blurted out, "your son has cancer."  I never suspected anything so serious, he only had earaches and a sore throat without any fever so it was a complete surprise to hear 'cancer'." -Angela R. 

"After seeing my son for a few seconds my Pediatrician sent us to Primary Children's where he said they would be waiting for us." -Crystal I.

"We were in the PICU at Primary's where our daughter was having respiratory difficulties and had lost movement in her legs when about a dozen people suddenly stormed our room and one of the Neurologists gave me the news." -Stephanie L. 

"The day she was diagnosed we were packing up a Uhaul and moving." -Cheryl R.

"I was teaching and my pediatrician called.  I was a wreck and had to have someone take over my class." - Jaysha E.

"I was standing in a checkout line at WalMart with a cart full of groceries when I got the call." -Jill H.

"I was at an appointment with a Dermatologist when she saw my 2 year old son and said, "Wow-he is pale!" which lead to a blood test to confirm a cancer diagnosis." -Jodi M.

"I was standing on my mom's front porch on a Sunday afternoon taking a phone call from our pediatrician." -Shawna W.

"After talking to a doctor I googled low red cells, high lymphocytes and leukemia came up....I knew then." -Amy J.

"I was in the ER at Primary Children's looking for answers before going on vacation the next day." -Mystee S.

"I was driving to Idaho for my nephew's funeral when I got the call that I needed to turn around and come straight to Primary Children's because my son had Leukemia." - Sadie S.

"I actually "found out" she had cancer before any doctor told me from a combination of googling her symptoms and the whisperings of the Spirit right before our doctor's appointment." -Briana H.

"I googled "my pale toddler" and when my husband asked what came up, I said "anemia or leukemia" and we looked at each other and just knew." -Megan G.

"I was in the hospital recovering from a C Section." -Kimberly B.

"We were settled into his hospital room and I was sitting in the rocking chair beside him when the 'team' of doctors came in to tell us it was cancer and the cancer was "everywhere that he has blood". -Elizabeth W.

"We got the call while we were at the movie, National Treasure Two." -Michelle S.

"I was in the car with my 3 kiddos on the way to pick up daddy who's car broke down." -Emily W.

"I was in an ER in Florida." -Nancy M.

"I was walking form the waiting room to the sedation recovery room when the anesthesiologist told me "there is something in there." -Sally Y.

"We found out when we were at home watching a movie with the kids goofing around." -Victoria A.

"I had just gotten back from taking our other daughter to school when my husband called to say the Dr. did an X-ray and had just told him "you are in for a life-changing event," this is Osteosarcoma." -Jessy J.

"We did tests and then the doctor came in and told us there was a 'mass' and that they were going to life flight our baby boy to Primary Children's." -Melanie G.

"The Doctor came out from doing my son's bone marrow aspirate and said, "please don't go home, I am pretty sure I have bad news.  Meet me back up in clinic in an hour." -Tammy B.

"I was sitting with my Pediatrician watching the Tech do an ultrasound on my son's belly to check for a hernia." -Laura S.

"We were in the recovery room after a sedated MRI waiting for our son to wake up when a Doctor took us into another room and told us the mass in his brain was indeed a brain tumor." -Tara M.

"We were at the ear and throat clinic when the doctor came in and used the word rhabdomyosarcoma." -Lorraine T.

"After spending all day in the ER with a horrific head and neck ache our daughter was admitted for what was thought to be meningitis.  An hour later we found out it was Acute Myeloid Leukemia." -Marie S. 

"I was standing in my kitchen cleaning up after lunch." -Leann C.

"After 10 months and many doctor visits we received a phone call to come to Primary Children's as soon as possible." -Yvonne D.

"We were told in the ICU it was Leukemia after our son was transported by ambulance to the children's hospital in Las Vegas." -Tabitha S.

"I was sitting with my husband and our daughter in the doctor's office when the word Osteosarcoma came out of his mouth." -Sue C.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Raffle for Trampoline, Firehouse Pizza, and USU Aggie Tickets


Stop by the entrance to Cache Valley's Macey's in Providence 
between 4:00pm-8:00pm FRIDAY 
and buy a $1 raffle ticket, 
you'll be entered to win:

1. A 15 Foot Propel Trampoline donated by Al's Sporting Goods


2. A $25 Gift Card to Firehouse Pizza



3. Tickets to an Aggie Men's Basketball Game 



Raffle tickets are $1 apiece and you can purchase as many as you like to better your raffle chances. All proceeds will go to CureSearch for Children's Cancer Research.

Tickets will also be sold Saturday, May 26th at Al's Sporting Goods. Listen to Q92 that evening and the winner of the trampoline will be announced!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Blood Drive!

Skyler was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August of 2010.  Skyler has had many complications during his treatment leading to 184 blood and platelet transfusions.  He would not be here today if it wasnt for those donors who took the time to donate.  We are celebrating Skyler's birthday this year by holding a blood drive.  What better way to celebrate his life than by helping others get to celebrate another birthday as well?  Be The Match will also be there to sign people up for the bone marrow registry.  It's just a quick swab of the cheek!  So for those that want to help but aren't good with needles this is a great opportunity to help.  Both of these things will literally help save someone's life.  The blood drive will be held on May 5th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at 875 West Foxboro Drive in North Salt Lake.  To schedule an appointment please email or text Crystal at crystaln_isaacson@yahoo.com or 801-628-6768.  Walk-ins are welcome but if you make an appointment it will make the proccess go by faster, also it will help give us a good idea of how many people are coming so we can have enough staff.  You dont need an appointment for the bone marrow registry.  We will also have a bounce house for the kids while the parents are donating!





Please watch and SHARE this video!!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Cancer kids photography opportunity!!!

All cancer kids and their families are invited to come have their pictures taken by professional photographers! The group shot will be taken at 3:00PM so please bring your cancer cutie to be in this group photo, We will be using it for the CureSearch walk advertising and fundraising...we'd love to have all the cancer cuties included in this photo. Even if you can't come to the group sitting, come take advantage of these photographers, you can bring your family and get a family picture, or do a sibling picture for a fathers day gift! They will be set up in the Red Lion hotel conference room from 2:30-5 and they will stay until everyone gets their pics taken. They are setting up backdrops and bringing props so please come take advantage of this amazing opportunity! You will be given all the rights to your photos so you can print them out at your convenience.

Who's invited: cancer kids and their families
Where: the Red Lion Hotel conference room
161 West 600 South
Salt Lake City‎ UT‎ 84101
When: please try to check in from 2:30-3:30 or RSVP to Chelsea (801)808-2435

Can't wait to see you all there!!!