Once again we have formed our Fundraising TEAM WIEGAND for AuroraWALKS on Saturday April 13th, benefitting Aurora Day Camp, Georgia’s only full summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, ages 3 1⁄2 – 16, all completely free of charge.
Julie and Andy have attended Aurora Day Camp for FOUR summers and we can’t wait to go back in June. Aurora also provides year-round and in-hospital programs, in addition to this magical camp. We have seen the impact of this unique mission, there are no other programs like these in Atlanta.
Aurora has been a key part of our coping with Julie’s brain tumor diagnosis. Julie’s surgeries and subsequent chemotherapy treatments resulted in me being the “helicopter parent” I didn’t want to be. I want my kids to be independent – to feel confident when Ryan and I are not around. However, Julie’s surgeries left her unable to walk until she relearned that basic skill.
The summer after her diagnosis and surgeries, I wasn’t comfortable with her being anywhere without me. We were cautious and considerate about where she went, making sure we felt confident in the people who would be caring for her. This is where Aurora fits in. The camp is MADE for kids with various cancer-related concerns, whether it be relearning how to walk, dealing with the loss of a limb, being immunocompromised from chemo treatments, or being concerned with social interactions with other kids. With their experiences and a medical team on duty, we felt Aurora staff probably knew even more than us about how to care for Julie.
And I cannot dismiss the importance of Andy being allowed to share in the camp experience, with his own needs as a cancer sibling. He needed attention too, and he got it! Like I said, this camp has been key to us dealing with our status as a pediatric cancer family.
It is so important for Aurora to have the funds to give every pediatric cancer family this opportunity! My personal goal for my team is $3000 and our team goal is $3000. Will you help me reach my goals? You can either donate to my page or join my team as a walker at the buttons above.
If you choose to join my team – and simply reach out to 5 friends and family; you will be amazed I promise! They will give because they care about you and this powerful cause. People give to people. Every dollar counts and every walker who raises a minimum of $100 earns the official AuroraWALKS 2024 t-shirt.
It costs $6,000 to send one child to camp for the entire summer. Your support and friendship will help us reach our $225,000 Walk goal, to ensure we continue to provide and expand these powerful, life-changing programs. AuroraWALKS will take place on Saturday, April 13th, Concourse Office Park. Check-In and fun family activities at 8:30 AM, Walk starts at 10:30 AM, free parking, easy access. I am inviting all my friends and family to join TEAM WIEGAND at the walk!
Take a moment to watch our powerful video below, in which I share our story and features Andy and Julie at Camp and the impact of Aurora Day Camp. Thank you for supporting our family team - together we will give summer back to children with cancer.
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