Welcome! Friday, March 29, 2024 | Login | Register
   

Camp offers support and hope for local women

Comment     Print
Related Articles

A bluebird is a symbol of hope, and a regional camp named after it has provided hope and support for three local women who have experienced cancer.

Gina Lewis, Phyllis Hill and Rosemari Holland recently took part in Camp Bluebird. Each has faced a cancer diagnosis - Lewis and Hill with breast cancer and Holland with brain cancer.

"As long as I'd been here I'd never heard of Camp Bluebird," Lewis said.

Hill learned of the camp, which is offered by Mission Hospital's SECU Cancer Center, through her oncologist, Dr. Matt Rees. Hill, who had met Lewis through another program, mentioned a desire to go to Camp Bluebird. Lewis immediately agreed she would go with her, and enlisted Holland to go along as well.

Camp Bluebird is held twice each year at the Bonclarken Assembly in Hendersonville. The three-day, two-night camp offers adult cancer patients ages 18 and older an opportunity to have fun and receive cancer education.

The three women shared a suite with a cancer survivor from Nashville. While the women only knew each other, Lewis said they all felt an immediate connection with their fellow campers.

"You automatically had a bond, because even though you might have had a different cancer, you were surrounded by a group of people who understood what it was you have been through," Lewis explained.

Although a camp setting, Hill said that it felt more like a vacation at a resort.

"When we first got there we were paired with our camp counselor, and we didn't have to do a thing," she said.

Different activities and classes were offered each day, as well as fun themed meals.

"It reminded me of being on a cruise," Hill said. "There was always something to do."

Each said they enjoyed taking part in the remembrance service held during camp.

"They plant a tree during camp each year, and you have a chance to take some of the soil to put around it and say something about the person you are remembering," Lewis said.

To remind them of their time at camp, participants make a bluebird house. What lessons and joys did Lewis, Holland and Hill have from their time at Camp Bluebird?

"To really take one day at a time and to enjoy life to the fullest," Hill said.

Lewis agreed.

"You can't let the devil win every day," she said. "Cancer is always in the back of your mind once you've had it. You have to live life to the fullest because you never know when it's your time."

Camp Bluebird is sponsored by Mission Hospital and the AT&T Telephone Pioneers. The next Camp Bluebird will be offered Oct. 18-20. For more information, contact Camp Director Leslie Verner at 828-213-4656.

Read more from:
Latest News
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: