Okizu
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June 12, 2013
Looking forward for this year camp!!!
Life changing experience for my son ALL survivor, 8 months after finishing with his treatment, he can hardly wait to share a week out of a year with his friends, doctors, nurses, volunteers. Okizu has provided him with independence, motivation and a sense of normalcy during his chemotherapy treatment, be able to reconnect with life long friendships and share feelings, bring hope as a survivor to other campers on treatment. Best therapy!!! Camp Okizu is amazing!!!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 12, 2013
Camp Okizu was a lifeline for me, my son with cancer and his brother. Dr. Mike Avalon and director John Bell gave of themselves wholeheartedly to help educate and support each and every one of us. Groups for parents to share and listen were invaluable. The camp and the counselors was the one place my son felt saw him as a person, not his cancer. He felt free and happy with everyone there. Please give generously to support this much needed and valuable service which benefits so many in so many profound ways.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
April 6, 2013
Okizu is indescribable. It's life changing. As a volunteer you will take away more from your experience than you can even put in. A week at this magical place with campers affected by childhood cancer is actually the place people go to forget cancer. It's based on peer-support and respite in the most beautiful place possible. To be surrounded by so much potential sadness, I have never seen so many smiles in one place. Go! Experience the magic! It's worth every second.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
November 12, 2012
Okizu is the most wonderful organization I've ever volunteered with. Between the siblings program, the oncology program, and the family weekends, there is something there to help every person in a family that is affected by childhood cancer. It is absolute magic how sometimes tired, run down families arrive and within a day they are happy and refreshed. The kids find support in each other at summer camp because they are surrounded by peers that have shared their experience and actually know the hardships they've lived through. Everyone at Okizu is so accepting, people are truly free to be themselves and not worry about being judged for their feelings or appearances. The counselors all truly care about the campers and making sure they have an amazing time while they are with us. Unlike many other summer camps, Okizu's counselors are all volunteers; we keep returning every year because we love it and can't wait to come back again. I've never worked with an organization where everyone felt like family after one week. Some of my closest friends are other counselors I have met through Okizu.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 12, 2012
Camp Okizu ranks up there with Disneyland and Yosemite for our family. It's something our family looks forward to every summer for both family camp as well as Oncology and Sibling camps for the kids. As parents, there is no other place where we can connect with families who we have a shared experience with...people who truly understand what it's like to have a child who has/had cancer. Even though our son is well now, he lives with long term effects from his treatment. We still live with the few of the cancer coming back. My kids both feel totally at ease when they are at camp for similar reasons. People who have not "walked in our shoes" just cannot fully understand. The volunteers who work at the camp are amazing, selfless human beings. My kids would stay at camp all summer if they could :)
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 11, 2012
Camp Okizu is truly an amazing place. We were lucky enough to attend Family camp with our 3 year old twins this past summer. Our daughter was diagnosed with leukemia 11 months prior and it was the first time in almost a year that we all went somewhere together. The staff is truly amazing, and my kids are constantly asking when they get to return to camp and to see their favorite counselors again. We were able to connect with other parents and families that truly understand what we are going through. It is a wonderful organization.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 11, 2012
Camp Okizu is a miracle in itself. The camp is full of love and support, and the volunteers and campers are inspirational. Having a safe place to escape to where people understand exactly what you went/are going through is an irreplaceable resource for families battling with cancer.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
November 11, 2012
As a sibling of a child with cancer Okizu was my "safe" place and full of people who understood what I was going through without me having to say or explain anything. After 2 years of going to Okizu my sibling lost his battle with cancer and Okizu is where I found the most comfort as it was a place full of support, laughter, and unconditional understanding! Thank you Okizu for providing me with some of my best friends, fondest memories, and support I couldn't get anywhere else!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 11, 2012
Though our son passed away before he could get to know Okizu, our other children have greatly benefited from Okizu through SIBS Camp and the whole family has cherished Family Camp every year. Being able to be with other families that truly know and understand what our family is/has been going through. They are all very wonderful people that truly care about all the kids and parents they come into contact with. I can't even begin to put into words how Okizu has impacted our family in a positive manner. I mean after losing a child to cancer, who really understands? No one in my immediate circle of family and friends really understand and so I was actually a bit skeptical about going to Family Camp. But after going there and hearing the other families' stories and telling my story, you get that connection of true understanding. The staff are similar, they truly empathize and many know what it's like to have cancer. I can't say enough good things about Okizu.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 8, 2012
From the minute I stepped off the bus at Camp Okizu I knew it was an amazing place. Being a 17 year old camper I was quite hesitant to attend in the first place, but as I walked through the funnel of cheering counselors I knew I was in a very special place. I was hooked after my first week. Once I turned 18 I applied to be a volunteer counselor, I signed up to work for 3 weeks and ended up staying for 4. The environment that Okizu creates is beyond amazing. Whether you are a camper or a counselor you know that you are supported in anything that you do. Okizu has made me into the person I am today, some of my greatest friends and mentors are my fellow volunteers at camp. I count down the days until I can be back at Okizu next summer.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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