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CATALYZING PROGRAMS

Young boy in colorful pajamas and a mask looking up at a screen, while a woman with a microphone and mask kneels beside him pointing at the screen.

Transforming Lives Through Summer Camps

Each passing summer, the Children's Cancer Hospital spreads hope through an array of transformative camps, bringing joy to patients and their families.

This year marked the second year back since the pandemic's onset, which had suspended all in-person support program offerings for a challenging two-year period. During this hiatus, patients and their siblings eagerly yearned for a bit of normalcy. Fortunately, the hospital's leaders took proactive measures, devising safe and suitable options for the return of the pediatric camps. Remarkably, there was a notable surge in camp attendance this year compared to the initial post-pandemic year.

"She's been counting down the days to camp since Christmas!"
-Audrey Pursch, mother of campers Brodie and Gigi Pursch

Throughout the past summer, the hospital coordinated three week-long camps tailored to patients and their siblings, complemented by an enriching day camp designed for entire families.

Among these, Camp Star Trails took place in Burton, Texas at the inclusive Camp For All venue, catering to children of diverse abilities. Aged 6 to 14, these children reveled in a week of memorable experiences, spanning horseback riding, swimming, sports, fishing and more.

In July, Camp H-Town unfolded at Four Seasons Houston, offering the same age group a luxurious experience. The camp included visits to the Houston Zoo, yacht sailing and a plethora of camp-like activities within the hotel's confines. Take a look at all the fun in action here.

For teenagers aged 14 to 18, the serene Camp AOK was offered in Magnolia, Texas. This laid-back camp provided an ideal setting for fostering profound relationships by facilitating team-building activities, sports such as archery, and even a lively dance.

"The beaming smiles on the faces of these kids makes all the hard work worth it. It fills us with pride."
-Tomika Gamble, Program Manager, Camps and Special Events

To close out the camp season and kickoff Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the team hosted Camp Family Fun Day at Victory Camp in Alvin, Texas. The goal of this camp is to simply provide an opportunity for families to enjoy a day of fun while strengthening their family bond and building relationships with other families who have endured similar circumstances.

These invaluable camp experiences materialize thanks to the unwavering support of compassionate donors like you, and steadfast community partners. Through your commitment, the Children's Cancer Hospital continues to kindle rays of hope, infusing the lives of young patients and families with courage, camaraderie and cherished memories.

Two canoes with two people in each canoe in a lake. One person in the front of each canoe are holding their paddles in the air.
A smiling child wearing a gray and yellow life jacket leans back on his seat with his arms folded behind his head.
A child wearing a blue helmet is ziplining in a green harness.
A child wearing a yellow shirt and glasses smiles while holding up a lemur stuffed animal.
A child laying on an inflatable unicorn float in a swimming pool.
A child wearing a surgical face mask putting her handprint on a pane of glass that has many multicolored paint handprints on it.
A child wearing a helmet and sunglasses looking up while on a climbing wall.
Several people in white shirts in front of plumes of colored powder going up into the air.
A person pulling the arrow back on an archery bow, with another person standing behind them.
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A boy in a black shirt smiling while falling backwards over a yellow and black striped tube on an inflatable obstacle course.
Two boys with their arm around each other standing under falling water at a splash pad.
A girl wearing black glasses holds up a fish she caught on a fishing line in front of a lake.
A boy wearing a blue shirt and swim trunks sliding with his arms out down a slip and slide.
A smiling child wearing a helmet as he sits in a zip line harness
A group of kids in yellow shirts wearing yellow lanyards smiling in front of a large fish tank at an aquarium.
A child in a yellow shirt standing in front of a window into an aquarium tank.
Several people in yellow shirts surrounding a pool with a stingray in it. They are looking down into the pool and pointing at the several stingrays in it.
A child wearing a blue, pink, and purple tie dye t-shirt, smiling at the camera as they put their painted handprint onto a large white banner with other bright colored painted handprints.
A child floating on his back in a swimming pool.
Children dressed in yellow shirts and hats observing a sunlit exhibit with cacti and rocks.
People lying on colorful yoga mats in a large indoor space, raising their legs during a group exercise
Three teens wearing face masks working together to scoop chocolate cake batter from a mixing bowl.
A kid wearing a black jersey shooting a basketball on a basketball court surrounded by trees.
Several people wearing white shirts covered in multicolor powder sitting on the ground watching fireworks.

Pediatric patients experience professional music creation thanks to The Faris Foundation

A person wearing a surgical face mask pushing a button on a soundboard, sitting at a table with a small keyboard and microphone on it.
A child in a tie dye MD Anderson Cancer Center Strikethrough logo t-shirt pushing buttons on a soundboard.
A child in a tie dye MD Anderson Cancer Center Strikethrough logo t-shirt pushing buttons on a soundboard.
A headshot of Melissa Melo. She is holding a guitar.

This past spring, the new Faris Foundation Mobile Recording Studio made its debut at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital! The mobile studio gives pediatric patients a unique music therapy experience while they go through treatment. This incredible resource is an extension of the Arts in Medicine Program at the Children's Cancer Hospital. It was generously provided by The Faris Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve childhood cancer treatments through research, creative arts programs and public awareness.

The "studio" comprises a mobile cart that is fully loaded with the latest music recording technology and includes a professional microphone, noise-canceling wireless headphones, a MIDI keyboard, a launchpad and DJ equipment.

Melissa Melo, The Faris Foundation Music Therapist, meets with patients and families to produce and record studio-quality music or sound effects to make their days brighter.

She can position the cart right next to inpatient beds, allowing patients to help control the technology and feel like the driving creative force.

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