Organizations I Support

In March 2007, I lost my husband to lung cancer. Just two weeks before his death, we had been told that he would live a year.  We broke the news to the kids, stressing that we had the gift of a year to love and cherish each and every moment together. The loss was devastating enough. Trying to support our sons emotionally following such a grave injustice in truth was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I couldn’t have done it without the following two organizations.

Camp Kesem: This is a summer camp run by college students in support of kids whose parents have (or have had) cancer.  Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew, and that is what they provide to these kids in a week-long overnight camp.

Personally, I have witnessed the transformation of my sons’ sadness, following the death of their father, into hope. These enthusiastic, caring, and dedicated college students really do create magic. From his first year of attendance until he aged out in high school, the week away at camp was so important to my son, that he has put it in front all other activities to insure it wasn’t missed. For this reason, I urge everyone to join me in supporting this organization.

If you can donate any amount, please go to their webpage. http://campkesem.org/donate

 

Hospice of the Valley: This organization provides end of life care to the dying, palliative care, and grief support. Since our hospice did not have any programs to support the children, we reached out to Hospice of the Valley for their counseling and grief support groups. Having personally experienced HOV’s support groups for kids, and for parents of grieving children, I know firsthand how important this therapy is to one’s grief journey. Please support this organization if you are able.

Online donations can be made at: http://www.hospicevalley.org/how-you-can-help/donate-online/