The organizers of Kay’s Kamp for kids with cancer in Clayton received a heartfelt tribute from state and local elected officials on Saturday.
At the “meet-and-greet” information program for campers and their parents, Gov. Jack Markell signed a proclamation honoring Kay’s Kamp as the first oncology camp in Delaware. State Sen. Bruce Ennis (D-14th district) and State Rep. Quinn Johnson (D-8th district) presented a tribute to the camp founders and supporters at St. Joseph’s Center for Community Service in Clayton.
U.S. Rep. Mike Castle sent a letter that was read, thanking the camp organizers and telling the campers he hopes their experience is as rewarding and memorable as his first time at camp.
Markell talked of his family’s experiences dealing with cancer, with his father, and when his wife had breast cancer. He thanked camp founders Bill and Laurie Warren for what they’ve done to make their daughter Kaylyn’s dream come true – to help other families who have children battling cancer.
“How much internal strength it took so shortly after the loss of your daughter is remarkable,” Markell said. “I don’t know if there’s a higher calling to create a place like this to help others. We talk a lot about heroes, but I think that’s often misplaced, either when people are talking about athletes or political figures. To me, the heroes are people like Kaylyn.”
Ennis said, “It’s an honor to be here to participate in this vision that Kaylyn had and to offer our support in such a worthwhile project.”
Johnson echoed Markell’s statement that the Warren family has shown great strength in establishing the camp after the death of their daughter.
“What you’re doing here will touch not only the children’s lives, but their families and the community, bringing awareness to what needs to be done in the treatment and the fight against cancer,” he said.
Camp was ‘vision and dying wish’ of Kaylyn Warren
Kay’s Kamp was the “vision and dying wish” of Kaylyn Warren, according to her brother, Andrew Warren, who served as the master of ceremonies at Saturday’s event.
After Kaylyn was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 at the age of 17, her dream was to open a summer camp for kids with cancer. When she visited St. Joseph’s Center for Community Service with her family during a tour of possible sites, “she fell in love with the place,” according to her mother, Laurie Warren.
After a courageous battle with leukemia, Kaylyn passed away in 2007. Her family and friends made it their goal to make her dream come true, and in August, it will.
The camp will be held at St. Joseph’s Aug. 8 to 15, featuring a staff of physicians organized by Dr. Lou Bartochesky, the Chairman of Pediatrics at Christiana Care.
The camp is free for children who are being treated for cancer or who are in remission. According to the Kay’s Kamp brochure, children who are currently in treatment for cancer or on maintenance chemotherapy will be able to receive their treatment at the camp and go right back to camp activities. Children who need lab work will be able to go to the infirmary in the morning before breakfast, have blood drawn and go on with their day at camp. Children who aren’t feeling well or are having side effects or complications from treatment will have oncology nurses and a hematology/oncology phy-sician available for assessment, treatment and reassurance.
Many volunteers including cancer survivors will be staffing the camp as counselors and leaders of arts and crafts, games, sports, music and nature studies.
