Southwest Orlando Bulletin - A Prescription of... -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 8/7/2004
Last Visited: 8/13/2004
Susan Williamson, R.N., of Ocoee annually volunteers at Camp Boggy Creek, a nonprofit facility for seriously ill children.
For one week every summer, Susan Williamson, R.N., of Ocoee takes a break from administering chemotherapy to cancer patients and volunteers to care for youngsters at Lake County's Camp Boggy Creek, a nonprofit facility for seriously ill children.
"You have to feel the spirit of Boggy Creek," Susan said.
Susan learned about the camp's volunteer opportunities almost five years ago.An oncology nurse at M.D.Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, she has donated more than 400 hours to helping campers with their health problems, and this year, she received recognition from the camp for her commitment and service.
"It's one thing I can do," Susan said.
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"Horseback riding or boating or fishing, they always want a medical professional there," Susan said."You're either assigned to The Patch or one of those activities."
The camp, which opened in 1996, has treated thousands of children to a carefree week of swimming, games, arts and crafts, and other leisure pursuits with other youngsters diagnosed with the same disease.The children learn they are not alone in dealing with a chronic or life-threatening illness, and life can still be fun.
"Seeing how much joy a week at camp brings to these children is so worth it," Susan said.
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"We do everything we can to keep the kids at camp," Susan said.
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"If people didn't volunteer, these kids couldn't do this," Susan said.