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‘The Asthma Games’ Theme Of 14TH Annual Camp Wheeznot
The theme was chosen due to the popularity of “The Hunger Games,” said Patti Brown, who organizes the camp and is also a registered respiratory therapist and respiratory care practitioner in the Cardiopulmonary Services Department at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
Camp Wheezknot, sponsored by Rutherford Regional Health System, is an annual camp for children ages 7 to 12 who have asthma. Campers take part in traditional camp activities – which this year included swimming, fishing, BB shoot and archery – as well as gain information on their condition from physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. Dr. Gary Schafer serves as medical director for the camp and Dr. Jerald DeLaGarza provides physicals for campers.
Camp is offered at no cost, and funding for it is provided by the Rutherford Regional Health Foundation. Camp was supported this year by Smith’s Drugs of Forest City, DPR-Fortis, Boy Scouts of America, Spartanburg Community College’s Respiratory Therapist Program and Mark and Carolyn Hill.
“Children and teens who are reminded how to manage the causes and symptoms of their disease have a much better experience when they return to school,” said Jill Miracle, executive director of Rutherford Regional Health Foundation. “Our sponsors and contributors make a real, immediate difference for our local children who deal with asthma. We are grateful for support from the community so that we can continue to provide this camp for our kids. We are already talking with potential corporate sponsors about next year’s camp.”
For information on next year’s Camp Wheezknot, call 828-286-5444. If you would like to provide financial support for camp, please call the Rutherford Regional Health Foundation at 828-286-5070.