Children With Cancer

Camp Ronald McDonald

$1,500 sends a child with cancer to camp

2,000

children with cancer were sent to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times since 2010

Children with cancer not only face the rigorous medical treatment, but they often face emotional and mental anguish through bullying, exclusion and feeling hopelessly alone. Camp provides children a place where they can feel a part of a family, helping them to build confidence, ways to cope and building friendships. They are given the tools to build hope in their lives and for their future.

Importance of Camp

Children with cancer, due to treatment and the illness miss a lot of school, and many times are subject to bullying and ridicule. They feel alone and misunderstood. Their mission is to create a “community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy. The camp is cost free to them and medically supervised for the children with cancer. Their siblings are able to join them and their families attend during family camp.

Beginnings

One of the Barco employees had a young daughter who loved Camp. Michael Donner met with this shy girl and she expressed how much camp meant to her. Since our first involvement, we have heard many stories by children who presently attend, to the children who attended as children and have since become young adults. They tell us of how much it means to them and for many, it was the one time a year that they were happy.

Walk For Kids

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation’s had their first Walk for Kids in 2011. It was held under the umbrella of the Camp Ronald McDonald's Walk for Kids. Out of their kindness and generosity, we were able to raise funds for all of our charities.

Our friends and families and supporters all join in on this day of fun in the sun, especially for children as we all walk to give hope to children in need.

Nurses Award

Each year, Barco’s Nightingales Foundation awards a nurse who volunteers at the camp. It is awarded at the Heroes for Healing Gala which is in October annually. These nurses go above and beyond their already amazing dedication and expertise in healthcare, but also volunteer their time to help these children at camp.

Location

The camp is located in Idyllwild, California. It is a beautiful place where the children can have fun, learn and just be kids with others that also understand what they are going through. It is a time of rejuvenation and hope.

Keeping Hope Alive

COVID has hit us all and no more so than for these children that look forward to their week at camp. With their health in jeopardy as they are in the high risk group, camp was not an option this year.

Camp-in-a-box was created for them. Each camper received a box with a camp tee shirt, goodies and items that will be used on their zoom camp sessions. Concerts and events are all scheduled for them to participate in. It is through the caring hearts of their leaders that they are still keeping hope alive for these children with cancer.