Joy Outshines Pain at CAMP PERTHES
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CAMP PERTHES: WHERE JOY OUTSHINES PAIN
OUR KIDS NEED YOUR HELP!!!
* We are currently raising funds for 2018, to support Camp Perthes USA in June, and Camp Perthes Australia end of September. Please help us reach our GOAL! Perthes Kids Foundation is a certified 501c3 non-profit organization (ID#: 47-3841121), so all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your continued support and contributions. Every little bit helps!
Camp Perthes USA will take place in Irvine, California, June 18-22, for children between the ages of 7 and 15 who are afflicted with Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease, a rare degenerative hip bone disease that makes it painful to walk and play. The camp promotes confidence skills, social development, education and therapeutic/outdoor activities where kids with LCPD, and their entire families, can meet each other and simply have fun in a positive and safe environment. No one should ever feel alone when dealing with Perthes, which is why this special camp was created.
THE ISSUE
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease . The name sounds even more obscure than the condition already is, but what is far from unfamiliar to anyone and everyone, is the idea of chronic physical pain. There is still no known cause for Perthes, and still no cure. The mere thought of it is perhaps too much for most adults, but for the children stricken with the disease, such pain is a daily reality, to perform even the most basic, and taken for granted actions, like walking, running or jumping. LCPD is a rare (1 in 21,000 children, between ages 3-12), degenerative hip bone disorder (osteochondritis) that makes it painful for children to play like "normal", and often confines them to a childhood in wheelchairs, casts, leg braces, crutches and other physical restrictions, and can even lead to multiple surgeries.
The debilitating effects of this condition can continue well into adulthood. While it is not life threatening, it is certainly life altering, with restricted mobility in a child's daily life as something to be endured, instead of fully enjoyed. The emotional pain from Perthes can be just as overwhelming as the physical.
THE IMPACT
The disease's impact stretches far beyond the bodies of those suffering from it, but also to the hearts and minds of the entire family as well. Those challenged by Perthes disease, and their family members, can express all the more vividly and strongly:
"One year ago today... my son could not walk, play, sit at the table to eat, sleep comfortably, or even toilet himself... pain, confusion, desperation. One year ago today... I signed my name giving permission for the operation. One year ago today... the reality of Perthes hit me like a ton of bricks, as I walked down the hospital corridor, not believing that the screams were coming from the room to which I was being led to. One year ago today... I saw such anguish in my son's face, that anything and everything I ever believed in crumbled. One year ago today... such a mile stone in our journey. Thank you to God, our doctors in Maryland, our physical therapist here in Liverpool, all our families, friends (near and far), neighbors, even strangers who have said the kindest words of encouragement in helping us put a smile back on Riley's face once again. One year ago today... is a day that will always haunt me, define me, but more importantly remind me of the strength and courage it takes for some to survive." - Mother of a child with Perthes Disease
[testimonial from the Legg Calvé Perthes Support Group on Facebook ]
THE MISSION
For such a debilitating condition affecting the most precious and valuable of our population, our children, it is still little known, but efforts to raise awareness have been ongoing, particularly by the Perthes Kids Foundation (501c3). Founded in 2007 by Earl Cole, unanimous winner of the same year's Fiji-set season of CBS's long-running reality series 'Survivor', he himself suffered from LCPD as a child. In addition to raising global awareness of the disease itself, the Perthes Kids Foundation's more important aim is to empower those young "Survivors", to reinforce that they, too, can go on to live an outgoing, successful and fulfilling life, regardless of any challenges that come their way. Cole has always credited what he went through as a child with Perthes, as one of the reasons he grew into the strong, determined, adventurous and empathetic individual he is today.
THE CAMP
In 2013 Cole established the annual Camp Perthes summer camp in Florida, solely dedicated to kids with LCPD. In only a couple of years, the camp has grown into a globally popular destination for families affected by the disease. Children and parents have traveled from far and wide (Canada, Egypt, Hawaii, California, New York, Texas and more) to participate in the week of family outings, activities, and general adventure within a supportive and inspiring environment and community. The camp's popularity has grown so much each year that this year's 5th annual summer event took place at Lake Hughes, California, from July 14-18 (the first year in partnership with The Painted Turtle, founded by the late actor, Paul Newman), and the second Camp Perthes Australia in Queensland (Gold Coast) took place September 24-29.
THE CAMPAIGN
As Camp Perthes continues in the USA and in Australia this year, and continues to expand to other cities around the world, we are planning to bring that same fun and magic that our USA kids get to experience. We are ever more in need of the generous support from caring individuals, humanitarians, socially responsible businesses and local health communities. We want to continue making a huge impact on our Perthes Kids, as well as, their families that have to endure in the journey. Since medical treatment is already expensive, we want to keep the cost very low for parents to send their child to Camp Perthes. Our stated goal of $10,000 is intended to be a "kickstarter" to help keep up with the increasing costs and number of kids, as Camp Perthes grows beyond the States and further builds a global family of its valiant, spirited little campers, who are every bit as brave and inspiring as any heroes seen in the movies.
Your donation means so much, to help us keep the joy, outshining the pain. We would appreciate any donation amount given to this worthy cause. 100% of all funds raised will be used for camp supplies, food, activities, equipment and scholarships. Perthes Kids Foundation is a certified non-profit organization (501c3, tax exempt ID: 47-3841121). Our kids and volunteers all THANK YOU for your time and your generous support! :-)
Chris P. Bacon, a pig born with a leg disability and uses a custom made wheelchair, came to visit Camp Perthes in 2013 to inspire the kids that anything is possible.
OUR KIDS NEED YOUR HELP!!!
* We are currently raising funds for 2018, to support Camp Perthes USA in June, and Camp Perthes Australia end of September. Please help us reach our GOAL! Perthes Kids Foundation is a certified 501c3 non-profit organization (ID#: 47-3841121), so all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your continued support and contributions. Every little bit helps!
Camp Perthes USA will take place in Irvine, California, June 18-22, for children between the ages of 7 and 15 who are afflicted with Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease, a rare degenerative hip bone disease that makes it painful to walk and play. The camp promotes confidence skills, social development, education and therapeutic/outdoor activities where kids with LCPD, and their entire families, can meet each other and simply have fun in a positive and safe environment. No one should ever feel alone when dealing with Perthes, which is why this special camp was created.
THE ISSUE
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease . The name sounds even more obscure than the condition already is, but what is far from unfamiliar to anyone and everyone, is the idea of chronic physical pain. There is still no known cause for Perthes, and still no cure. The mere thought of it is perhaps too much for most adults, but for the children stricken with the disease, such pain is a daily reality, to perform even the most basic, and taken for granted actions, like walking, running or jumping. LCPD is a rare (1 in 21,000 children, between ages 3-12), degenerative hip bone disorder (osteochondritis) that makes it painful for children to play like "normal", and often confines them to a childhood in wheelchairs, casts, leg braces, crutches and other physical restrictions, and can even lead to multiple surgeries.
The debilitating effects of this condition can continue well into adulthood. While it is not life threatening, it is certainly life altering, with restricted mobility in a child's daily life as something to be endured, instead of fully enjoyed. The emotional pain from Perthes can be just as overwhelming as the physical.
THE IMPACT
The disease's impact stretches far beyond the bodies of those suffering from it, but also to the hearts and minds of the entire family as well. Those challenged by Perthes disease, and their family members, can express all the more vividly and strongly:
"One year ago today... my son could not walk, play, sit at the table to eat, sleep comfortably, or even toilet himself... pain, confusion, desperation. One year ago today... I signed my name giving permission for the operation. One year ago today... the reality of Perthes hit me like a ton of bricks, as I walked down the hospital corridor, not believing that the screams were coming from the room to which I was being led to. One year ago today... I saw such anguish in my son's face, that anything and everything I ever believed in crumbled. One year ago today... such a mile stone in our journey. Thank you to God, our doctors in Maryland, our physical therapist here in Liverpool, all our families, friends (near and far), neighbors, even strangers who have said the kindest words of encouragement in helping us put a smile back on Riley's face once again. One year ago today... is a day that will always haunt me, define me, but more importantly remind me of the strength and courage it takes for some to survive." - Mother of a child with Perthes Disease
[testimonial from the Legg Calvé Perthes Support Group on Facebook ]
THE MISSION
For such a debilitating condition affecting the most precious and valuable of our population, our children, it is still little known, but efforts to raise awareness have been ongoing, particularly by the Perthes Kids Foundation (501c3). Founded in 2007 by Earl Cole, unanimous winner of the same year's Fiji-set season of CBS's long-running reality series 'Survivor', he himself suffered from LCPD as a child. In addition to raising global awareness of the disease itself, the Perthes Kids Foundation's more important aim is to empower those young "Survivors", to reinforce that they, too, can go on to live an outgoing, successful and fulfilling life, regardless of any challenges that come their way. Cole has always credited what he went through as a child with Perthes, as one of the reasons he grew into the strong, determined, adventurous and empathetic individual he is today.
THE CAMP
In 2013 Cole established the annual Camp Perthes summer camp in Florida, solely dedicated to kids with LCPD. In only a couple of years, the camp has grown into a globally popular destination for families affected by the disease. Children and parents have traveled from far and wide (Canada, Egypt, Hawaii, California, New York, Texas and more) to participate in the week of family outings, activities, and general adventure within a supportive and inspiring environment and community. The camp's popularity has grown so much each year that this year's 5th annual summer event took place at Lake Hughes, California, from July 14-18 (the first year in partnership with The Painted Turtle, founded by the late actor, Paul Newman), and the second Camp Perthes Australia in Queensland (Gold Coast) took place September 24-29.
THE CAMPAIGN
As Camp Perthes continues in the USA and in Australia this year, and continues to expand to other cities around the world, we are planning to bring that same fun and magic that our USA kids get to experience. We are ever more in need of the generous support from caring individuals, humanitarians, socially responsible businesses and local health communities. We want to continue making a huge impact on our Perthes Kids, as well as, their families that have to endure in the journey. Since medical treatment is already expensive, we want to keep the cost very low for parents to send their child to Camp Perthes. Our stated goal of $10,000 is intended to be a "kickstarter" to help keep up with the increasing costs and number of kids, as Camp Perthes grows beyond the States and further builds a global family of its valiant, spirited little campers, who are every bit as brave and inspiring as any heroes seen in the movies.
Your donation means so much, to help us keep the joy, outshining the pain. We would appreciate any donation amount given to this worthy cause. 100% of all funds raised will be used for camp supplies, food, activities, equipment and scholarships. Perthes Kids Foundation is a certified non-profit organization (501c3, tax exempt ID: 47-3841121). Our kids and volunteers all THANK YOU for your time and your generous support! :-)
Chris P. Bacon, a pig born with a leg disability and uses a custom made wheelchair, came to visit Camp Perthes in 2013 to inspire the kids that anything is possible.
Organizer and beneficiary
Perthes Kids Foundation
Organizer
Santa Monica, CA
Earl Cole
Beneficiary
