We are always pleased to share stories with you from Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times – known affectionately as “Camp.” Camp is one of the largest recreational camping programs for children with cancer and their families.  It serves more than 1,500 people each year and is medically supervised by volunteer doctors, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and activity specialists. It is also entirely free for all participants and that includes siblings and parents of the child battling cancer.

When seven-year-old Aarin was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her parents Joy and Doug were devastated. But they were determined to get her the treatment she required and make sure that she and her siblings and the family as a unit, got the emotional and psychological support necessary to fight this battle.
Aarin’s oncologist told them about Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, and Joy and Doug knew this was what their family needed. Aarin and her siblings have attended Camp for the past five years. Joy and Doug have pointed out that the support for the entire family in coming to terms with Aarin’s diagnosis is an important part of Camp. Aarin has begun high school, is in good health and looks forward to returning to Camp in the future. Aarin’s story is just one of thousands of stories from families and campers about Camp.
Recently, Deborah Lew, staff writer for The Los Angeles Kings hockey team shared a different perspective on Camp. She shares her experiences visiting Camp as a thank you to the Kings staff for their donation of the funds for the new dining hall at Camp.
Ms. Lew observed that here was a place where kids had every right to be depressed and angry but “have already embraced ideals like acceptance and love – so much so that they can teach their group of 15 adult visitors about what can be accomplished if we just set our differences and our struggles aside.”
This attitude does not happen without the wonderful array of volunteer doctors, nurses, counselors and support staff. Nor does it happen without the support of people like you and organizations like the Kings and our foundation, Barco’s Nightingales Foundation.

Won’t you join us for a wonderful celebration at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Calif., the site where Camp’s first oncology session was held. The evening will bring together supporters of Ronald McDonald for Good Times, to raise funds for Camp and celebrate the generous commitment from The Los Angeles Kings and founding board member Steve Horowitz. Presented by Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, the evening will also recognize longtime volunteer nurse Debi Mankame.  For more information on this event, please go to http://rmhcsc.org/camp/events/view/86 .
We hope to see many of you at this wonderful event.
~Michael and Frida Donner