Every year, childhood cancer advocates across the country hit the trails for CureSearch Ultimate Hikes to help bring new treatments to kids with cancer. Individuals and teams, like Camp Happy Days, trek 20-30 miles to tell children’s cancer to “take a hike!”
Camp Happy Days is an organization that offers support and encouragement to children diagnosed with cancer and their families through cost-free, year-round camps and other events. In addition, Camp Happy Days offers support programs throughout the year including hospital visits, holiday giveaways, crisis resources, counseling, and financial assistance.
“A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, so our goal at Camp Happy Days is to improve the physical, emotional and psychological health of the entire family,” said Cindy Hay Johnson, executive director of Camp Happy Days. “Our programs are unique because they include siblings and are free for the families.”
These supportive programs are made possible because of dedicated volunteers, many of whom also participate in the CureSearch Ultimate Hike. For the fourth year, team Camp Happy Days will lace up their hiking boots for the 2022 Southeast on the Foothills Trail hike on November 12. This year’s team includes hikers who have survived cancer or lost loved ones to the disease.
“We hike for them. We hike in support of those who are currently fighting the fight, in celebration of those who have won their battle, and in memory of those who we have lost,” said Debbie Donovan, 17-year Camp Happy Days volunteer and Ultimate Hike Team Captain.
Camp Happy Days is also a sponsor for the Ultimate Hike and says the event provides a platform to share their mission with others, while supporting next-generation childhood cancer research.
“The more opportunities we create to educate others about the need for safer, more effective, treatments for children’s cancers, the more we can help CureSearch in their mission,” said Debbie. “The research they help fund has a direct impact on the population we serve through Camp Happy Days.”
Training is underway for the 2022 Southeast on the Foothills Trail Ultimate Hike. Click here to sign up for an upcoming information session to learn more.