Camp Happy Days Celebrates 40 years of Camp for Children Diagnosed with Cancer and Their Siblings

Press Release

Each summer, volunteers come from all over the country to attend Camp Happy Days’ week-long summer camp. For some, it will be their very first summer at camp, but for others, camp has been a special place for them and their family for many years—some of them were even campers themselves. 

One of these volunteers is Jeremiah Treadway (above). Jeremiah was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 when he was only 11 years old. After several missed diagnoses, he learned he had Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Anaplastic Large Celled Lymphoma. Jeremiah was immediately scheduled for surgery, started radiation, and received his port for chemotherapy. Over the period of one year, he came in weekly to receive his chemotherapy treatments. While he was not at the hospital, he was taking 46 pills a day, all with their own side effects.

Jeremiah is now 23 years old and cancer-free. One of the biggest factors in helping him along his way was experiencing the support of other children diagnosed with cancer through programming provided by Camp Happy Days. When he grew too old to come to camp as a camper, Jeremiah made it his priority to volunteer with children diagnosed with cancer through the programs that helped him during that time.

“Being a volunteer and being there for these kids has been the highlight of my life,” he said “I couldn’t think of anything else that brings me more joy and happiness than seeing the big smiles on these kids’ faces at camp. They have so much fun and speaking from experience all their worries and fears just drift away…and all they can think about is having fun and enjoying life. I will continue to volunteer as long as I am physically able to and help these kids have fun.”

Jeremiah has first-hand experience on the importance of programs that bring joy and support to children  diagnosed with cancer. This year, from July 1st – July 8th, over 200 children diagnosed with cancer and  their siblings will experience this same joy at Camp Happy Days.

Each year, Camp Happy Days purchases must have items for our team-building activities, med shed (doctor and nurses station), Glitz & Glam (dresses and supplies for camp prom) and our many program areas. Donations are needed to cover these items or items can be purchased directly off the wishlist. If you would like more information about donations needed or would like information about volunteering for the week of camp, please reach out to Mary@camphappydays.com or call 843-571-4336.

If you would like to make a donation to Camp or shop our wishlist, check out our website: https://www.camphappydays.org/donate-1 

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