Main fundraiser photo

Illinois Sickle Cell Disease Camp

Since 1983, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) has taken more than 3,000 children to summer camp. Children ages 7 to 17 participate in a 5-day and 4-night experience. This Easter Seal accredited camp provides a fun, safe and medically supported recreation experience that allows children with sickle cell disease to participate in culturally inspired programs, physical activity, disease management and develop an appreciation of nature. 

Every year SCDAI strives to host a Summer Camp themed “Bright Horizons” for children between the ages of 7 through 17 years of age who live with Sickle Cell Anemia.  Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetically inherited blood disease that causes the red blood cells to sickle and become hardened and stiff due to lack of oxygen. These blood cells that are supposed to carry oxygen to every organ in the body are greatly deterred sometimes by restricting the flow of blood through the system by what is known as a Crisis. Crisis are painful episodes that occur when blood cells clump together in the joints of the body and cannot flow freely thus cutting off oxygen flow to specific organs, this lack of oxygen can cause deterioration of organs, strokes and heart attacks, prolonged effects can lead to hip and shoulder replacements, pneumonia and even death.

                SCDAI has provided a Sickle Cell Summer Camping experience for the past 40 years.  This summer camp allows a platform to bring together youth with Sickle Cell Disease to experience what “normal” children experience every day. Campers get the opportunity to play, swim, and interact with other children like themselves without judgment while learning about their disease from trained medical staff inclusive of doctors and nurses, who volunteer their time freely. SCDAI has provided the summer camping experience to youth with Sickle Cell Disease for up to 65 children per year, in our better days, to enjoy nature in a controlled setting where they play sports such as basketball and football, swimming in a heated pool, horseback riding, arts and crafts, put on a talent show, hay rides, zip lining, boating and fishing. The campers grow to appreciate the lives they have regardless of their circumstances, they grow up to lead and challenge obstacles that are ahead of them with this chronic illness and they grow up knowing they are loved!

In recent years the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois has experienced financial hardships which provides a barrier when planning for such an encouraging event. We have been hit with diminishing donations from sponsorships, cutbacks in federal, state and local funding and just personal economics overall.  We continue hosting the camp but are forced to reduce the number of children we can accommodate from 60+ now cut to 30, resulting in over a 50% reduction of attendees or possibly not having camp at all! 

We really want to take every Sickle Cell child in the state of Illinois that want to experience this extraordinary adventure, to see the joy in their eyes and the hope in their heart! We would be eternally grateful for your support of this endeavor.  If you find yourself with conscious enthusiasm to help, please donate to assist SCDAI!!!  THANK YOU VERY MUCH! 

Click Here to learn more about SCDAI's Bright Horizons Summer Camping Experience







Organizer

Sicklecell Disease-Il
Organizer
Chicago, IL
SICKLE CELL DISEASE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.