Our Partners
Children's Cancer Research Fund
Their mission is to find a cure for childhood cancer by providing funds to the University of Minnesota for research and training relating to the prevention, treatment and cure of childhood cancer. The organization also educates the public about childhood cancer and supports quality-of-life programs for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Children's Cancer Research Fund focuses on supporting pioneering research initiatives that lead to larger studies, clinical trials and improved methods of treating childhood cancer. Ultimately, it will be the breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment that help prevent childhood cancer.
Just a few of the initiatives supported by Children's Cancer Research Fund, where progress is being made in fighting childhood cancer include:
- Amazing success during the past 10 years using umbilical cord blood in bone marrow transplants. Studies have proven that umbilical cord blood may offer blood cancer patients better success than bone marrow transplants.
- Developing new processes to expand the number of umbilical cord blood transplant cells available, making the procedure accessible to more patients.
- Increasing knowledge regarding genetic and environmental causes of childhood cancer.
- Examining how the body's immune system can be triggered to fight the cancer.
- Identifying patterns in cancer patients' gene structures that will lead to a more tailored approach to treatment.
- Learning new information regarding the long-term health and quality-of-life of childhood cancer survivors and using that data to educate the public.
Visit their website at http://www.childrenscancer.org
Special Days Camp
Special Days Camps offers activities of a "normal" camp, adapted to meet the special needs of our campers. Programs include all of the traditional elements of a camp; arts and crafts, swimming, horseback riding, boating and campfires. Campers are given the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop life skills as they move through our programs.
Our activities are intentionally designed to promote self-esteem, confidence, friendships, teamwork and leadership in a camp environment that is medically supervised and filled with support, understanding, fun and laughter. Developing these skills can help them successfully meet the challenges of treatment, school, work and family.
After attending Special Days, campers bring home more than just dirty laundry... they bring home unforgettable memories and long-lasting friendships. They bring home tales of tasks accomplished that before were thought of as unattainable. They come home feeling more confident in themselves and more secure with their illness. It is amazing how one week at Special Days Camps can truly make a difference in their lives!
Visit their website at http://www.specialdays.org
