COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – “Until there’s a cure, there’s camp.” Those words are the first thing you’ll see when you drive into Camp Chemo.
The annual free summer camp is so much more than a fun getaway. It allows children impacted by cancer and blood disorders to enjoy summer activities.
This is the 46th year Prisma Health Children’s Hospital has hosted Camp Kemo. It’s one of the nation’s first pediatric oncology camps. This year, around 100 kids and their siblings got a chance to enjoy the summer outside of the hospital.
8-year-old Aiden Adams is one of those campers. He was diagnosed with a type of cancer. What type of cancer? If we don’t know, let’s just say cancer.
“Spending the night at the hospital. That’s the hardest part,” Adams said.
Because of cancer, Aiden has already had to have one of his tonsils removed. Even though he’s going through cancer treatment right now, he’s been able to spend time at Camp Kemo with his friends. That’s all thanks to the support of on-site medical physicians, like Dr. Laura Pirich.
“When I’m like going through tough times, she helps me get through it faster,” Adams said.
Pirich said Camp Kemo serves as a sign of hope for what’s to come.
“For them to be able to come out and spend a week being a kid, being around other kids who have had the same struggles that they have had, and just have a week of fun really warms our hearts.”
And for campers like Aiden, it gives him the strength to continue his battle.
“I really feel not alone and like other people have to do the same thing I’m doing. It’s been scary, really scary,” Adams said.
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