Okizu
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March 16, 2012
After we lost our daughter to cancer several years ago, one of our daughter's Nurses, a friend, suggest we check into attending the berievement camp at OKIZU. My inclination was not to get involved. Just go on with "getting over" our loss. The more I've learned about this kind of deep tragic loss, the more glad I am that we are able to go to OKIZU camp with our kids. OKIZU is a very safe and welcoming place. Kids can be themselves, even kids who currently have cancer, or have had cancer, or siblings of kids with cancer, or struggling families, or families who've lost children to cancer. OKIZU has a camp specially designed for each of these categories. You can come, have fun, enjoy the gorgeous facilities, join in the activities, join in the discussion, express your feelings, or not. It is up to you. The staff are knowledgable and they really get it. Our whole family LOVES, LOVES coming to OKIZU. These people are angels in our book.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
CA
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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?
2011
How did you find this group?
Through a nurse at Children's Oakland.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
Comfortability with my wide range of feelings associated with the death of my daughter. Helping me to feel confident that I can go on with life, without having to resolve all the unanswered questions.
March 9, 2012
I have been involved with Okizu (which serves kids with cancer and their families) for over 15 years, first as a volunteer camp counselor and for the last 10 as a board member. I was first moved by the connection between the foundation and its constituents (both children and parents). I saw up close as a counselor the important need that was there and the positive and enduring impact that Okizu has on those it serves, not just at summer camp but year-round. Once I joined the board, I was very impressed with the passion and dedication of the Okizu family -- from the board to the staff to the volunteers. It is truly a wonderful organization that has made a life-long impact on those it serves.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 26, 2012
Our family has been immensely helped by going to camps and re-charging. We could not have made it through without the kindenss and support of Okizu. They are the best.
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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
February 22, 2012
I had a 16 year old child who passed away of a family of 14 members. The family was financially unable to pay for the funeral. Camp Okizu stepped up and was able to assist both financially and with another organization they were able to have the funeral paid off. Per organization this is not something they ordinarily help with but in this case they did. Thank You to a wonderful organization. Extraordinare!!
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 6, 2012
My daughter Emily was diagnosed with cancer (Leukemia) when she was one year old. We struggled with the disease for 10 yrs before we lost her. During that 10 yrs, Emily had three relapses, brain surgery, a bone marrow transplant, over 360 days in the hospital and came to within hours of dying twice. Life was hard, but Emily and her two sisters, Katie and Molly kept all of us going through good times and bad through their love and kindness. The happiest we had ever seen Emily was when she attended Camp Okizu. Emily was fortunate enough to go twice. This was one of the only places she went where she could be a kid. She was happy, carefree and at least for one week during the summer, an eight year old little girl. She wasn't Emmie the cancer kid or Emmie the sick kid...she was just Emmie. We love Camp Okizu. Both Katie and Molly attended sibling camps and discovered other kids in the same situation they were in. The learned that they were not alone in this fight and being there helped them physically and emotionally. Both are now camp volunteers and were so affected by the camp that they spend many weeks each year donating their time. The icing on the cake is that they have made life-long friends and have discovered what is truly important in life...family and friends.. I could go on and on about Okizu. The generosity of Camp Okizu, from the founders, doc and nurses, staff and volunteers is boundless and they never ask a camper or their family to pay for this experience. Please find it in your heart to donate to Camp Okizu. God bless you and from our little angel Emily, who received so much joy from this camp, a million heavenly smiles, and joyous laughter from so many kids who deserve to laugh. The Coyne Family
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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
February 6, 2012
This organization for 30 years has been bringing some normalcy into the lives of children and their families who have lost feeling normal due to the diagnosis of childhood cancer in a family member. Whole families are affected, not just the child with cancer, and all their lives ara dramatically changed. Okizu's effective services are provided free of charge to the patient, sibs, parents and grandparents by volunteer medical professionals, experienced staff (many of whom are volunteer) and the affected children and families who effectively support one another like on one else can. The program fine tuned with 30 years of experience is a life changing one for participants. The organization budget is efficiently honed and the management is stable and a model for its dedication to the mission.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 6, 2012
My daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 11. My daughter went to oncology camp at camp okizu and loved the ropes course. She loved the ropes course so much that she works at the ropes course on her college campus and wants to incorporate a ropes course into her future occupation. Her siblings love go to sibs camp at camp okizu. We love to go to famly camp together every summer. We all love and appreciate camp 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?
2011
February 1, 2012
Wonderful organization. Dedicate volunteer serving the Pediatrics Oncology population. Wonderful camp each summer for patient and family of patients.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
serving my patients
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Expand to year round camping
More feedback...
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
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
Volunteerism. Sharing
February 1, 2012
I have been involved with Camp Okizu as a camper, a volunteer, and a fundraiser, and in each and every interaction with the Okizu Foundation, I am astounded by the healing power it generates through community, peer support, and play. When I was 13 years old, my younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia. I went to Family Camp and SIBS camp as a camper. My family never once had to worry about the cost of sending me to camp because the services are free to all families, which is an amazing relief when dealing with childhood cancer! As a camper, I built incredible relationships with fellow SIBS and their dedicated volunteer staff, and my family was able to heal and grow through the traumatic experience of childhood cancer.
Once I turned 18, I was thrilled to see another side of the Okizu Foundation. As a volunteer, I devoted my time during the summer week-long sessions and fall weekend family camps. In the past ten years, I have volunteered at oncology camp, SIBS camp, family camp, and bereaved teens weekend. Even though each experience is unique, I am transformed every single time. The parents and children may come to camp with a heavy load on their shoulders, but they leave with a sense of serenity and unity that only Camp Okizu can provide. As a volunteer, I have seen how dedicated the Okizu Foundation’s small staff is to creating the ultimate camp experience for their campers and for their volunteers. The meals, all-camp events, games, camp fires, discussion groups, crafts, and games are all planned and implemented with intention, organization, fun, and love for the campers.
Now that I am an adult, I can look back at my adolescence and point at the exact moment when I realized that I was special, unique, and capable of anything I put my mind to. It was the second that I arrived at Camp Okizu. As I exited the bus, I felt the support and love flooding from the volunteers and the staff singing the welcome song to us. Now, over 14 years later, I think about how Okizu has impacted me, and I look forward to future opportunities to give back to this amazing organization.
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?
2011
January 31, 2012
Our son was treated for leukemia for many years, and finally underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2001. I am happy to say that he is now 10 and one half years post transplant and doing well. During those difficult treatment years, and in the years of the bmt recovery the Okizu Foundation offered to us a remarkable opportunity to attend their camp. They have week long sessions for cancer kids, as well as sessions for siblings of oncology patients. Siblings are often lost in the shuffle when a family is hit with a cancer diagnosis. Okizu many years ago saw a need to help the sibs, and it really makes a difference. It give those brothers and sisters of cancer patients an opportunity to spend a week with others in the same situation. And in the fall and spring families are invited to spend long weekends there. It is a beautiful camp near Oroville.
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?
2010
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