Help Spread the Magic of Camp to Oncology Kids and their Siblings!

Project Description

In the United States, Iowa ranks 2nd in the nation for highest and fastest rising cancer diagnosis rates (Iowa Cancer Registry, 2024). These numbers are not dropping. With more children being diagnosed with pediatric cancer and an increasing number of families being affected, they need your help now more than ever.

Children’s Cancer Connection (CCC) is committed to ensuring families are not alone when navigating a pediatric cancer diagnosis. For more than 35 years, CCC has connected Iowa families affected by childhood cancer by providing opportunities that encourage relationships and strengthen community. CCC’s largest and most popular program is Camp Heart Connection, a series of year-round camps tailored for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Nearly 500 campers attended Camp Heart Connection camps in 2025, with each camp being offered at no cost to eligible families.

Camp Heart Connection offers a temporary break from challenges families face while navigating their cancer journey. It provides a safe, nurturing space where children affected by cancer, whether oncology patients or siblings, can process complex emotions, build lasting friendships with others who understand their experiences, and simply enjoy being kids. At camp, they are not defined by their diagnosis or their sibling’s illness. Instead, they are free to laugh, play, and connect in an environment that fosters healing through empathy, shared experience, and emotional support.

Camp Heart Connection camps include:
1. Oncology Camp – weeklong summer camp
2. Sibling Camp – weeklong summer camp
3. Teen Camp – weekend camp held in the Fall
4. Family Camp – weekend long camp for the entire family, held in the Spring
5. Spring Day Camp – week filled with field trips around the Des Moines metro for 5–12-year-olds
6. Summer Day Camp – week filled with field trips around the Des Moines metro for 5–12-year-olds

Families should not face a financial barrier or burden in order to attend and participate. Your gift helps keep Camp Heart Connection camps free for all CCC families. Your contribution will:
✔ Send children to Camp Heart Connection
✔ Cover the cost of lodging and meals
✔ Purchase supplies for fun activities like arts and crafts
✔ Cover the cost of medical supplies and technological needs to keep camp running smoothly
✔ Purchase snacks for campers & volunteers

Funding breakdown:
• $6,000 – send an entire cabin of kids to camp
• $2,500 – covers one meal for one day for all campers at Oncology and Sibling camp
• $1,000 – one whole day of Day Camp for 30 children
• $750 – send one family to a weekend of Family Camp
• $600 – send a child to weeklong Oncology or Sibling camp
• $250 – send one camper to a weekend of Teen Camp
• $100 – support camp-related supply costs such as purchasing s’mores, medical supplies, program activities, and so much more!