By Amelia Kibbe
Managing Editor
Kathy Nugent said she just wanted the kids to realize they weren’t alone.
Nugent, the director of regional programs for CancerCare and a ’74 Bonaventure alumna, decided along with other CancerCare workers one way to do that was to create a camp for kids who had one thing in common—they all had lost a loved one to cancer.
And so, the idea of Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp was born.
The camp, now seven years old, is a weekend-long getaway for families who are grieving to gather and continue the healing process, Nugent said.
“Our goal is to bring families together who are dealing with a loss,” Nugent, a 33-year employee of CancerCare, said. “These families really do bond. The children realize they aren’t alone in their sadness.”
She added in order to qualify for the camp, a family must have lost a close relative (child, parent or grandparent) to cancer within the last two years.
Camp officials have planned this year’s camp for June 5-7 at Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, Pennsylvania. Nugent, who is based in New Jersey, said the camp will host approximately 100 people.
CancerCare is a national, non-profit organization that assists cancer patients and their loved ones.
According to the group’s website, CancerCare provides telephone, online and face-to-face counseling, support groups, education, publications and financial and co-payment assistance—all free of charge.
At the camp, the families will have the opportunity to go horseback riding, fishing and swimming. In addition, camp leaders have planned therpeutic sessions in which they break the children into different age groups, Nugent said.
According to Nugent, the camp is free of cost to the families.
“What’s nice about it is that it’s a free camp,” Nugent said. “It’s also for families and not just kids, which makes this camp a unique experience.”
In order to host the camp, CancerCare members fundraise. The organization hosts two annual events to raise money and Eisai Inc., a pharmaceutical company, supports the camp.
Nugent said beginning this year, the group has set up an online donation site. The site allows supporters to donate any amount of money. Donations can be made for the next 47 days. Visit indiegogo.com to donate. Nugent said she encourages everyone to help with the great cause.
The cost for a family of four to attend the camp is $1,000, Nugent estimated.
Nugent, a sociology major while at Bonaventure, said the Bonaventure community and its spirit of giving influenced her career decision.
“When I was at Bona’s, I was one of the first students to work in the Warming House,” Nugent said. “I was also part of the Little Sister program. Part of what really impressed me was the chance to give to others. I loved my time at Bonaventure.”
kibbeaa13@bonaventure.edu
