| Letters from Campers... Kids Share Stories from Diabetes Camp |

Camp Angels - Funding Camps for Kids with Diabetes

Real letters of Thanks, in their own Words.

Our mission is to help financially challenged diabetic children to summer camp. In doing this we ask these campers to write letters to their camp angel so each sponsor can see the many ways camp effects these children's lives in a positive manner during and after camp.

One of our Angels who has continuously supported these children with diabetes from Camp Angels beginning said, “In supporting various organizations and different causes I often wonder if my donation will be well spent and will it help in any way. In reading the letters I receive every year from the diabetic campers we help sponsor, there is no doubt in my mind, I have helped create positive impact on the lives of these special children.”


			Dear Camp Angels: My name is Kerri Turner, and I have three amazing children. All three have Type 1 Diabetes, and between them live with another 5 acute and chronic illnesses- including Primary Immunodeficiency Disease, Epilepsy, Asthma, Hypothyroidism, ADHD and psoriasis. Every new diagnosis from the last five years brings its own worries, lifestyle changes and experiences. Thanks to your financial help, Ian age 12 was able to go to diabetes camp. He made great friends at camp, and he looks forward to the trip from the day he leaves, 356 days later until he goes again. Knowing that he is in such a safe environment, meeting life long friends, and learning new techniques and strategies designed to keep him healthy means the world to me. Camp Angels, what a perfect name for your organization. You are truly Angels in our lives. Thank you so much for helping us. Sincerely, Keri Turner
			Dear Camp Angels: I would just like to send this very small token of my appreciation and give you a very big THANK YOU for awarding my son - Charles Howard - a scholarship to attend diabetes camp. I’m sure you are aware of how much this camp means to these kids with my son being no exception. My son actually is sad when I come to pick him up to bring him home! The first year he didn’t cry when I left him, he cried when he had to leave! He truly would have been devastated not being able to go this year. We are not wealthy people, nor have we ever been in this situation where we had to ask for “help,” we have been always able to “get by.” This has been a very humbling time for us and it has been amazing that we ask for help and receive it. It is so comforting to know that there is someone that we could turn to! I want you to know that the smile on my son’s face, the fun he has had and the lifetime of memories that are created that week are because of you and your generosity! I cannot thank you enough!! Forever Grateful Sherry Howard
			To my Camp Angel: My name is Kennadi and I am 12 years old. I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes March 6th, 2007. I have been hospitalized over 13 times with hypoglycemia and 3 times for hyperglycemia. The summer of 2008 was my first summer at Camp Midcha. After a year of being hospitalized so often, this camp was a much needed vacation. At camp Midicha I felt like I belonged. I felt like all the other campers were my brothers and sisters. It didn’t matter whether or not we got along, what mattered is that we were all there for the same reason! For the first time since my diagnosis, I didn’t have to explain my glucose meter or my injections. No one questioned why I needed snacks during the day or why I needed my blood sugar checked several times overnight. At camp I was able to be me. I was in Bear cabin and I made lots of friends. I loved all my counselors and all the activities. My favorite and most memorable experience from camp was Camp Monk. That was kind of the sad part too. At camp I had one special friend and that was Priscilla. Priscilla and I stood by each other the whole time. I had so much fun. I can’t wait until next year!!!!!! Sincerely Kennadi
			Dear Camp Angels: Thank you so much for helping me to camp this summer. I have attended camp once before and fell in love with it. I love the outdoors and though I tend to be on the shy side, I really enjoyed meeting other diabetic campers and counselors. I look forward to being a camp counselor when I turn 18 because of the influence my counselors had on my camping experience. My counselors made my time at camp fun and memorable, and I want to give that back to future campers. I want them to have an even greater time than I had and will this summer! (Which will be really hard to match!) I also love Diabetes Camp because I learned a lot about my health. I learned about nutrition, blood glucose control, and other health related topics that will help me to live a better, normal lifestyle. This has been increasingly important to me as I have been getting older and will be applying to college this fall (I plan to become a veterinarian) and will soon be completely in charge of my diabetes. I hope you know how grateful I am for this sponsorship. I was doubting whether I should even apply this year because in Feb. I was informed that I might have a cancerous tumor in my knee. Although, with great luck, it turned out not to be a tumor, the numerous tests I underwent to achieve this diagnosis put a lot of strain on my family's finances. Without your generous support, I probably would not have the opportunity to go to camp this summer. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Sincerely April
			To Annabelle’s Camp Angel: Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for your financial support. Our daughter, Annabelle, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on March 29, 2007 at the age of 4, had not many opportunities too meet other children with the same unforgiving disease. So you can imagine the comfort and connection she felt at this awesome camp. It was an unforgettable moment to see all the children checking their blood glucose level under the tent upon arriving that first, chilly, dewy morning. As a parent, it brought feelings of sorrow, joy and disbelief to see all the families that are afflicted with this terrible disease. This quiet, sneaky disease had infiltrated their lives too! We were all connected and not alone! Annabelle immediately took notice of all the insulin pumps and meters around her. She was not alone! What a relief this must have felt to her. She made everlasting memories…riding horses, singing fun songs, making crafts, exploring nature, swimming, jumping on the trampoline in freezing water, fishing, playing games, wearing a snake around her shoulders and making friendships. When I picked Annabelle up from camp the first day, I asked, “How was your day?” Annabelle replied, “Mom, am I going to camp next year, too?” I replied,” ‘We will try to send you every year!” You see, my husband and I believe taking care of her mind is as important as taking care of her body. Also, when I asked her if she had a “Low” today, she responded. “Yes, and Mom, there were LOTS of lows today!” How wonderful that she, for once, was not alone in this world of diabetes. So, again, we’d like to express our thanks for your financial support! It means more that you will ever know! Sincerely Annabelle’s Parents
			Dear Camp Angels: First off would like Thank You for being so kind in helping me go to camp this summer, I had a fantastic time. I got along with all the girls in my cabin great! At camp I enjoyed pirate night, paint ball, swimming and much more. Since I have come home from camp I’ve learned how true their motto is, “MISS HOME FOR A WEEK, MISS CAMP ALL YEAR!" I constantly find myself saying “this is how we do it at camp” whenever my family is not sure on anything concerning my diabetes. I’ve learned a lot at camp and had the time of my life doing it. Sadly, this will be my last year at Diabetes Camp. I am REALLY glad I got to go and want to thank you for making it possible. May God bless you as much as he has me. Rebecca
			Dear Camp Angels: We would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sponsoring our daughter Shelby for the pee wee camp this summer. It truly means so much to us to know that there our people like you that want to help diabetic kids who do not have the means to go camp like everyone else. This camp is so important to our family since Shellby is the only one in our family that is affected by this disease. It is very important to us that Shelby has the opportunity to spend time with other diabetic children her age. There was a time that she felt that she was completely alone with this condition; but after she attended camp for the first time last year she didn’t feel so alone anymore. We want you to know that we will definitely pay it forward and sponsor a child for camp once we recover from this economy. Shellby is very excited to attend camp this year and we are thrilled that with your help she will be able to go. Thank you so much! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Gary & Carrie Garamone Shelby’s Parents
			Dear Camp Angels: Thank you so much for sponsoring me to camp. I love going to camp because I get to see how many kids like me have diabetes, and there are plenty more out there. I can’t believe I have had diabetes for 6 years now. I have been going to camp since I was 5, I am now 12. When I go to camp I like to see my friends. Going to camp has made me more independent with my shots. Camp has also made me more comfortable with my change outs for my pump. When I go to camp I have LOTS of fun. I love all the activities that we do. I love going on the blob, swimming out to the middle of the lake and canoeing. Sail boating is cool but it can also be challenging. One time my friend and I got stuck out in the middle of the lake, it was a good laugh. Well, Thank you again. Gabrielle
			Dear Camp Angels: My husband and I would like to thank you for sponsoring our daughter, Gabrielle, again this year for diabetes camp. All year long, Gabrielle anxiously looks forward to this wonderful experience. As a family we plan our summer around camp so that Gabrielle has the opportunity of being with other children her age that go through what she does on a daily basis. I think camp gives her some sort of freedom away from us that she needs emotionally. Selfishly, it gives us, her parents, a much needed break as well. Throughout her years of attending camp, she has become self managing with her disease, mainly because of the great role models at this camp. She has told us that she would like to come back and be a camp counselor to help other children with diabetes. Again, thank you for the much needed assistance you provide many diabetic children and Gabrielle. She truly loves this experience; Thankfully, Diane & Kevin Epifanio


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