Two Local Cancer Organizations Team Up To Expand Youth Programs For Kids Impacted by Cancer
Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club partners with Camp Good Days & Special Times to expand summer camp and therapeutic programs for youth impacted by cancer.
ROCHESTER, NY – Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club (CSC) and Camp Good Days & Special Times announce a partnership to expand summer camp and general youth programs to benefit kids with, or impacted by, cancer and sickle cell anemia. Leadership at the two organizations recognized an overlap in services they provide for the same population of youth within the age range of 4‐17 that could be enhanced through a collaborative partnership. Cancer Support Community runs Camp Open Arms, a weeklong day camp in August. Camp Good Days and Special Times operates a day camp in July
and overnight camp in July and August.
Beginning this summer, Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club will integrate their 35 campers into the long‐standing camp programs offered by Camp Good Days and Special Times on Keuka Lake. The alliance will also help expand year‐round programs and services by blending the expertise of both organizations to benefit more kids and families impacted by cancer. Camp Good Days & Special Times will provide the summer camp programs that they are well known for, and Cancer Support Community will provide therapeutic‐based programs on a regular basis at camp. Together, both organizations will provide regular programs of social and emotional support for all youth and families year‐round.
"This is an exciting partnership that will help both organizations serve more children whose families have been touched by cancer," commented James Love, Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Chief Executive Officer. He added, "Camp is a place for kids to just be kids, where they don't have to think about anything but having fun. Our kids will get to enjoy a sleep away camp that is ACA accredited and recognized by the children's oncology camping association. In turn, we can provide the therapeutic support any child, or family, may need."
"I built Camp Good Days to be a place for children impacted by cancer to experience the joys of childhood, to be a place where courage knows no boundaries. I am so excited to be able to introduce Camp Good Days to the children and families of the Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club. As two organizations that are dedicated to one common goal, ‐‐ supporting children and families impacted by cancer, ‐‐ we are combining efforts to help and support the most amount of people possible in this community. I am eager to see what the future holds for this amazing partnership,"
stated Gary Mervis, Founder of Camp Good Days.
To launch the partnership and joint summer camp program, Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club is hosting a Family Fun Night for campers from both organizations on Thursday, April 27 from 6‐7:30 pm at 255 Alexander Street. The event is free and open to any family impacted by cancer or sickle cell anemia. Registration is required. For more details visit www.cscrochester.org/event or call 585‐423‐9700.
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About Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club
Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club (CSC), located at 255 Alexander Street in Rochester, New York, is a non‐profit organization where cancer patients and their families, survivors, and caregivers have access to free emotional support, healthy lifestyle activities, social connection, education, and referral services provided with compassion and expertise—in person or online. CSC is funded through the generosity of private individuals, corporations, foundations, and grants. For more information about Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club, call 585‐423‐9700 or visit www.cscrochester.org.
About Camp Good Days & Special Times
Camp Good Days and Special Times is a 501(c)3 not‐for‐profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and adults who have been impacted by cancer or other life‐threatening challenges through residential summer camping programs on Keuka Lake as well as year‐round recreational and support programing. Camp Good Days was founded in 1979 by Gary Mervis to provide a residential camping program for his daughter, Teddi Mervis, and other children with cancer from Upstate New York. Since its inception, Camp Good Days has served more than 50,000 campers from 22 states and 36 foreign countries. All programs and services are provided free of charge for the participants. This is only possible through the generous donations of so many individuals and companies and the success of special fundraising events. To learn more about Camp Good Days please call 585‐624‐5555 or visit www.campgooddays.org.