My Nonprofit Reviews

When one of my twins was six months old, he lost his left eye to an extremely rare tumor called an intraocular medulloepithelioma. The tumor-type is so rare that we could not find information on it, including other people who experienced it. We turned to several retinoblastoma support groups, as that type of eye cancer is similar to the type my son experienced. Within those groups, someone referred us to Camp Sunshine. Although I had attended many fundraisers for Camp as a resident of Maine, I never thought I would have a child who would be going to Camp. We attended our first session in June of 2013, just three months after my son’s surgery. The twins were just ten months old and my oldest was not quite three. I was so nervous to go. I didn’t know what to expect or if I could even do it on my own (my husband couldn’t get time off to come). But I packed us up and went and I am so glad I did. Everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming. I met other parents and families dealing with the schedule of scans and ophthalmology appointments and occularist visits. I met other kids who had gotten through losing an eye to become amazing people. I met volunteers who took care of me and my children like we were family. I found a place of caring and respite. We made lifelong friends on that first visit and have continued to each time we attend. We have a network of Camp families and volunteers all over the country and all over the world.
I try to raise money for Camp at every opportunity. This is a program that is FREE OF COST for families. They house us, feed us, and provide activities and childcare. But what is truly priceless is the love we find every time we go to Camp.
Camp is a ray of sunshine when the darkness seems unbearable. It is a place of hope and a resource to us. I don’t know where we would be in our journey without it.