This weekend, 72 campers, including 20 patients, 23 siblings, and 33 parent/guardians participated in The Periwinkle Foundation’s Virtual Periwinkle Family Camp – a digital take on the organization’s annual Family Camp which is designed to meet the needs of the entire family unit as they collectively grapple with the emotional roller coaster of a pediatric cancer diagnosis and the ensuing treatment.
“Since our first Family Camp in 2009, we have been honored to be able to create an environment in which participants gain tools to make them stronger survivors and stronger families,” said Doug Suggitt, executive director of The Periwinkle Foundation. “Family Camp programming allows and encourages families to spend healing time together creating treasured family memories and invites them to get to know other families who are experiencing or have experienced similar issues.”
Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Periwinkle Foundation was determined to continue to provide an amazing camp experience for families. To ensure the safety of all families, volunteers, and staff, they reimagined Family Camp into a virtual retreat which included activities such as Family Games, Arts & Crafts, Yoga, Cooking, and more! These activities were facilitated through a combination of live programming on Zoom and recorded tutorials for families to access at their convenience. To enhance the camp experience, each family received a complimentary Camp-in-a-Box which included supplies and materials to be used during the various activities. On Saturday evening, each family was also surprised with a pizza dinner delivered directly to their home!
Periwinkle Family Camp is just one of the many programs that The Periwinkle Foundation offers to children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital. Other programs include Camp Periwinkle, Camp YOLO, Periwinkle Day Camp, the Long Term Survivor Program, and the Periwinkle Arts In Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. It is never too late to help support The Periwinkle Foundation and the more than 14,000 children, teens and families they serve.
Periwinkle Programs are provided free of charge to patients, siblings, and families, in thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Currently, registration and fundraising is still open for Periwinkle On The Move presented by White Oak Energy. Periwinkle supporters have until March 12 at midnight to raise funds through this virtual event which encourages participants to strengthen their bodies and the Periwinkle community of healing through physical activity and fundraising. To learn more about the Periwinkle Foundation and to help the organization reach the event goal of $150,000, visit the event website.
For more images from The Periwinkle Foundation’s Virtual Family Camp, click here.