POSTCARDSC A M P S U N S H I N E

n February 2009, soccer standout Jordyn Farrell startedexperiencing exhaustion, fevers, and a swollen abdomen.

Just days before her 16thbirthday, Jordyn was diag-nosed with a germ celltumor of the abdomen, arare condition in childrenand teens. At Children’sHealthcare of Atlanta atScottish Rite, she under-went surgery to remove atumor the size of a basket-ball. With the cancer inremission, Jordyn finishedthe school year at NorthGwinnett High, where hertwin sisters, Brenna andKaelyn, two years youngerthan Jordyn, also attend.

In August, however,exhaustion set in again andat her six-month checkup,

I

Helpful Programs Await New FamiliesAt Any Time of Year

SPRING 2010Volume 8 • Number 1

A Publication for Families andFriends of Camp Sunshine –Programs for Children with Cancer

Make the Sunshine LastHave you ever considered alegacy gift to Camp Sunshine?By including camp in yourestate planning now you canextend your support for yearsto come. Page 2

From Loss, Volunteer FindsPurpose Longtime and well-lovedcounselor Marc Tardiff lost hisbrother to cancer many yearsago. He finds purpose in hiscommitment as a CampSunshine volunteer. Page 3

RaceTrac Brews UpFundraiser RaceTrac’s“Coffee for a Cause” perkedup year-end giving to CampSunshine as customerspurchased coffee that tastesgood…and does good. Page 4

doctors found more tumors. Jordyn began chemotherapy. OnOctober 30th, she had her last chemotherapy. Her most recent

CT scans and ultrasounds haveshown no evidence of newcancer growth.

While the journey hasbeen extremely difficult, theFarrells, including parentsNick and Cherri and all threedaughters, have found solacein Camp Sunshine. Jordyn firstlearned about camp whileundergoing chemotherapy.First she attended CampSunshine’s college admissionscounseling meeting with herdad. They both liked whatthey saw and heard. This gaveJordyn the confidence to tryTeen Group North, whichmeets the second Wednesdayof each month in Johns Creek

Continued on Page 5

Summer Camp might be the largest and best known Camp Sunshine program, but it is only one of many programsoffered throughout the year for children with cancer and their families. A family doesn’t have to wait for summercamp to take part in a program that could help their child now. As Program Director Terri Sexton, LMSW, points out,every family is unique and can set their own pace about participating in camp programs. This is the story of how theFarrell family of Suwanee stepped into the Sunshine.

“The atmosphere is so open and honestthat you feel safe to talk about yourexperience. But the conversationsdon’t have to be just about cancer.”

– Jordyn Farrell, camper

RaceTrac’s highly successful “Coffee for a Cause” epito-mizes creative giving. RaceTrac CEO Carl Bolch, Jr. and hiswife Susan are longtime supporters of Camp Sunshine andboth serve on the Board of Directors. When they learneddonations were down due to the economy, they launched acreative fundraising campaign tied to the sales of RaceTrac’spopular coffee. Who knew a cup of joe could not only tastegood, but also do good? We also salute the sponsors ofCamp Sunshine Day at Big Apple Circus. Our campers andfamilies are positively enthralled by the creative force ofthis unique circus; the generous giving of our sponsorsmakes the magic possible.

The creative giving of time and talent is one of thegreatest gifts an individual can offer our campers and theirfamilies. Our Volunteer Spotlight tells of Marc Tardif’s dedi-cation to camp. From loss, Marc has found great purpose inhis volunteer efforts, and now it is a true family affair, asMarc’s father, JP, also joins in. In this edition, we alsooutline another type of creative giving — how you can giveeven beyond your lifetime by remembering Camp Sunshinewith a legacy gift.

Creative giving is a term that is used a lot today. In fact, ifyou google creative giving, you’ll find close to 49 millionresults! Basically, creative giving refers to unique, individualways that people give to a cause or organization near anddear to their hearts. It means thinking outside the box andgiving in an inspired manner.

The term may be popular right now, but at CampSunshine creative giving has always been in style.Throughout 27 years, the giving spirit has taken countlessforms as friends, volunteers and donors continually come upwith innovative, meaningful ways to support our programs.This edition of Postcards is brimming with examples.

Twenty-seven years ago, Camp Sunshine Founder DorothyJordan, then a pediatric nurse caring for children with chronicillness, had an idea: why not organize a summer camp weekfor children with cancer? From a one-week outing for 44children, Camp Sunshine has grown to a year-round programtouching the lives of more than 900 families across the state.

It takes vision, planning and action to make a dreamcome true. Your ongoing support is vital, as we expand ourprograms and reach out to more and more children in Georgia,and your annual gifts are deeply appreciated. In fact, wecouldn’t do what we do without you. But have you everconsidered extending your support into the future byincluding Camp Sunshine in your estate and long-termfinancial planning?

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S2

MOVING?Have you movedrecently? Are you

about to move? Do weneed to change yourmailing address?

Contact Chanteasea@mycampsunshine.comor call 404-325-7979,

ext. 10.

Lasting Sunshine: Consider Camp in Your Estate Planning

OUR MISSIONSTATEMENTCamp Sunshine enrichesthe lives of children withcancer and their familiesthrough recreational,educational and supportprograms allowing them toshare similar experiencesand to participate inactivities that promotenormal childhooddevelopment as theycope with the challengesof childhood cancer.

DEAR CAMP SUNSHINE FRIENDS,

Continued on Page 4

Make Camp Sunshine a Part of Your LegacyChildren with cancer need programs that offer love,

support, fun, acceptance and hope. By planning and actingtoday, you can ensure your continued support of campprograms for years to come. A planned gift through yourwill or trust will have lasting influence on campers and theirfamilies. Moreover, planned giving can offer tax advantagesand benefit your family’s financial future.

Talk to your personal adviser, and contact Sally Hale atsally@mycampsunshine.com or 404-325-7979. Yourresponse will be kept strictly confidential. Your foresightwill bring lasting sunshine to campers and their families.

Please take a moment to complete and return this formfor our records.

Dear Camp Sunshine,� I have included Camp Sunshine in my will or other planned giving arrangements.� I am interested in learning more. Please contact me.

Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________ City _____________________ State _______ Zip ____________

Daytime phone ______________________ Evening phone ______________________ E-mail __________________________Return to: Sally Hale, Executive Director, Camp Sunshine, 1850 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033

A longtime and well-loved cabincounselor, Marc lost his youngerbrother to cancer many years ago.Marc was a student at the Universityof Georgia when David died at the ageof 18. “David really got involved withcamp,” Marc recalled. “First, he wenton the Teen Trip to Washington, D.C.and loved it. Then he went to SummerCamp.” As a means of support andconnection, Camp Sunshine played animportant role for the whole family.

One year after David died, Marcapplied to be a counselor at CampSunshine. Today, 15 Summer Camps(not to mention innumerable othervolunteer positions) later, Marc is asmuch a part of a camp as friendshipbracelets. “When I first started volun-teering, I never thought that I’d bedoing this every year—I never thoughtthat far ahead,” he said. “But now Inever doubt it; I can’t imagine notgoing to camp every year and beingpart of this.”

Early on, Marc was paired withScott Pettite as cabin co-counselorsfor 13-year-olds boy. They enjoyedtheir group so much that they kept

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S

moving up with the boys every year.When the boys reached 18, Marc andScott hit their stride. “I like that agegroup,” Marc said. “I like how quicklythey can go from being the guys whoare too cool to socialize with anybodyin the dining hall to the guys who, bythe end of the week, are leadingeverybody in the conga line.”

Marc graduated from UGA in 1996with a bachelor’s degree in agricul-

tural engineering and returned therefor his MBA. He worked for years inconstruction management and now istackling a research and developmentproject which takes him to San Antoniofive days a week, returning to hishome in Atlanta on the weekends. It isa demanding schedule, yet Marc findstime to volunteer not only for SummerCamp but also for many other CampSunshine activities, including SiblingCamp weekend, Remember theSunshine weekend and Teen Retreatweekend.

“A prerequisite for my job hasalways been that I get a week off forSummer Camp,” he said. In college,Marc painted houses in the summerand could more easily take off. Whenhe landed his first full-time job, hisemployer was somewhat hesitantabout giving him time off for camp.When Marc returned and showed hisemployer a camp yearbook andbrochure, his employer “got it” andhas since been very supportive ofMarc’s volunteer work.

Marc enjoys running, hiking,biking and snowboarding, but his realpassion is his volunteer work. Hisfavorite camp activity is the gradua-tion night and bonfire: “It’s a quietertime, when everybody gets a chanceto really talk with each other, sharestories and just remember all the funthey’ve had together.” Another high-light is that for the past severalsummers his Camp Sunshine familyhas included his father, JP, who volun-teers at the horse barn. “It is great tosee him there,” Marc said. “It rein-forces what camp has meant to myfamily.”�

From Loss, Marc Tardif Finds Purpose

3

V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T

“I can’t imagine notgoing to camp everyyear and being part

of this.”– Marc Tardif

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S4

Camp Sunshine salutes RaceTrac gasolineand convenience stores for brewing ahighly successful, year-end campaignwhich raised more than $28,500 for campprograms. From December 21-23, allproceeds from RaceTrac’s coffee sales atits Georgia locations were donated toCamp Sunshine during “Coffee for aCause.”

RaceTrac CEO Carl Bolch, Jr. and hiswife Susan are 25-year supporters ofCamp Sunshine and both serve on theBoard of Directors. When donations tocamp slowed in 2009 due to theeconomy, these Camp Sunshine advo-cates took action. Capitalizing on thepopularity of the coffee sold at RaceTrac

stores statewide, they launched “Coffee for a Cause.”Fun signage, featuring Camp Sunshine’s mission state-

ment along with a hip Santa in cool shades and holding aRaceTrac cup of coffee, was prominently displayedthroughout the stores to remind RaceTrac customers of theopportunity to give. Customers embraced the idea and, due

Who says it isn’t easy being green? Camp Sunshine is takinga few simple steps to reduce our eco-footprint and you canhelp. Our 2010 Summer Camp application is now availableon-line. Visit www.mycampsunhine.com and click on thedownload. Please fax, e-mail or mail completed applica-tions by May 13th to hold your camper’s place. Dates forthis year’s Summer Camp weeks are:

Teen Week (13-18 years old) June 13 – 19Junior Week (7-12 years old) June 20-25

Also, be sure to join Camp Sunshine’s e-mail list and stayon top of all the latest Camp Sunshine happenings throughour regular e-mail blasts. To register, visit the Web site andfollow the quick instructions. Being green has never beeneasier! �

C O M M U N I T Y P A R T N E R

RaceTrac’s “Coffee for a Cause”Perks Up Giving

Go Green with Camp Sunshine

to their exceptional response, RaceTrac raised more than 140percent of its original $20,000 goal.

“Even in times of economic uncertainty, children withcancer require programs that offer them love, support, funand acceptance,” said. Mr. Bolch. “We thank our loyal guestsfor expressing their generosity and helping us to support thisvery worthy cause.”

“We are very grateful for this donation and for theawareness the campaign brings to Camp Sunshine,” said SallyHale, Executive Director. “RaceTrac stepped up to the plate,giving children with cancer the gift of sunshine. This gift willhave a major impact on the lives of our campers in 2010.”

RaceTrac’s generosity touched other organizations aswell, setting off a chain reaction of giving. Radio spotsencouraging customer to participate aired free of charge on790 The Zone each day of the promotion. RaceTrac supplierColonial Coffee Roasters, Inc. donated enough coffee tomake 10,000 cups of its finest brew. Their gift made itpossible for 100 percent of the proceeds to go toward CampSunshine. “We truly believe that Camp Sunshine is a greatcause,” said Rafael Acevedo of Colonial Coffee Roasters. “Wewelcome the opportunity to bring comfort to the children andfamilies affiliated with this group.”�

It is this giving of time, talent and treasure thatenables us to offer our year-round programs for childrenwith cancer and their families. Families do not have to waituntil summer camp to take part in programs that can helptheir children today. And speaking of creative giving, wethank the Farrell family — Nick, Cherri, Jordyn, and twinsBrenna and Kaeyln — for sharing the story of how they as afamily have stepped into the warming rays of CampSunshine.

With all this focus on creative giving, let me remindyou that traditional giving also is as important as ever tothe mission and purpose of Camp Sunshine. Your gift of$500 supports a child for one week at Summer Camp.Please give as generously as possible. For all the waysyou give — creatively, traditionally and always from theheart — we are grateful.

– Sally Hale, Executive Director

Dear Camp Sunshine Friends, continued from page 2

information. Every time, we walk out with a newpiece of information to help our child.”

“You feel you are part of a larger family andpart of a huge support network,” Cherri added. “Youend up doing a lot of laughing; it is so much betterthan crying. But crying is OK, too, if that’s what youneed to do.”

The Farrells appreciate that their youngerdaughters’ needs are also considered at CampSunshine. “Brenna and Kaelyn were having a verytough time, because they are very close to Jordyn.They are close as sisters, and they are best friends,”their mother said. She knows that camp programshave become important to the younger girlsbecause, even though at least one sister was hesi-tant about participating at first, they now all putFamily Night on their personal monthly agendas.

The Farrells also enjoy Camp Sunshine familyoutings. “We haven’t had a normal year,” Nickcommented. “But events like the Big Apple Circus?It’s like normal family time. For a couple of hours atleast, you don’t have to be concerned with otherthings. You can just relax, have fun and be a familyfor awhile.”

With Summer Camp approaching, Jordyn is“incredibly excited.” “I have never seen Camp TwinLakes, but I have heard so many amazing thingsabout it! I am most looking forward to meeting newpeople and getting to know my friends better,” shesaid. In the meantime, she is busy with school andsoccer practice. She also finds herself reaching outto others. She participated in Relay for Life and hasconnected with a teen recently diagnosed with abrain tumor. Jordyn wants her to give CampSunshine a try.�

“I absolutely loved Teen Group North, andnow I go every month” Jordyn said. “I was nervousat first because I was the new kid entering into anestablished group, but I was welcomed with openarms and have become friends with several of thecampers. All the campers I have met are thesweetest, most loving people ever.”

Jordyn has since participated in the TeenLock-in and Dance, Spa Sydell Nights, the BigApple Circus Day, the Gwinnett Gladiators gameand more. But her favorite activity is Family Night,held the third Sunday of each month: “It is soincredibly laid back, and you feel you can talkabout practically anything with the campers andother people in the room.”

Her parents and sisters share her enthusiasmfor Camp Sunshine programs and activities. “We’renot normally an extroverted family,” said hermother Cherri. “We like to spend time togetherand enjoy each other’s company. But Jordynstarted the ball rolling with her Teen Group North,and we are all so glad she did.”

“She came out of that very first teen meetingrecharged and with the energy she hadn’t had inawhile,” her father added. It inspired the entirefamily to attend Camp Sunshine’s Family Night.“Family Night works for us, because it spansacross the entire spectrum of needs—the camper’s,the parents’ and the siblings’,” her father said. “Asa family, what we are going through might notseem normal, but at Family Night, we find it to bea normal state. Everybody there has a child who issick and everybody is going through this horrificprocess. The commonality brings peopletogether…it’s a place to talk to others, to share

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S 5

Helpful Programs Await New Families At Any Time of Year, continued from page 1

“Camp Sunshine

provides steps to help

her gain it back. We

are happy to let her

participate and experience

this independence.”

– Cherri Farrell, Jordyn’s mother

HOW IS A FAMILYINTRODUCED TO CAMP

SUNSHINE?

Generally, Camp Sunshine representa-

tives, including Program Directors

Michele Rothstein and Terri Sexton,

LMSW, meet up with families in the

oncology clinics at the hospitals in

Georgia which treat children with

cancer: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

at Scottish Rite and Egleston, and

Backus Children’s Hospital in Savannah.

“The first meeting often takes place

when a child is newly diagnosed, a

tumultuous and overwhelming time for

the family,” Terri said. Thus, Camp

Sunshine is grateful to the hospital

professional staffs for reaching out to

and following up with patients and

families about camp program. “Each

family is unique,” Terri said. “Some

jump at the chance to participate;

others need time to warm up to the

idea.” She suggests trying a program or

activity for the whole family and seeing

how each member likes it. For a

complete listing of Camp Sunshine

programs, see the calendar listing on

pages 6-7 of Postcards or check the

Web site at www.mycampsunhine.com.

““At Camp Sunshine, every-

thing is low-key. You talk if you

want to talk and don’t talk if

you don’t want to. There is no

pressure. And somehow you

end up learning so many little

things to help your child and

yourself on this journey.”

– Cherri Farrell, Jordyn’s mother

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

M A Y 2 0 1 0

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

J U N E 2 0 1 0

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

For any House programs, we ask that you RSVP to 404-325-7979

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

Teen Group North

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

6

Young AdultCookoutFamily Night

New CamperOrientation atCamp SunshineHouse

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

Teen Group North

Staff Orientationfor SummerCamp

Washington DC Trip For TeensRememberingthe SunshineFamily Night

Rememberingthe SunshineFamily Night

Spa Sydell Night

SeasonalSunshine

Teen Summer Camp at Camp Twin Lakes

Sunshine 2 U at AFLAC Cancer Center/Egleston

Junior Summer Camp at Camp Twin Lakes

30 31

Sunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/Eglston

Sunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/ScottishRite

Sunshine 2 U at AFLAC Cancer Center/Scottish Rite

FAMILY NIGHT3rd Sunday of each month.5:30 – 6:20 Dinner6:30 – 7:20 Groups meetingsCall to RSVPMeet and share dinner with otherfamilies affected by pediatric cancer.Following dinner, groups will meet toshare, encourage, support and learnfrom others in similar situations.Parents will meet, teens will gatherand school age children will gettogether. Childcare is available forthose under 5.

TEEN GROUPTEEN GROUP NORTH meets the 2ndWednesday of each month in JohnsCreek from 6:00 – 7:30 PM

TEEN GROUP meets the 4th Thursdayof each month at Camp SunshineHouse from 6:00 – 7:30 PMCall to RSVPFor 13 – 18 year olds who arecurrently on treatment or were diag-nosed as a teen. Meet, hang out andget support from other teens whohave or have had cancer. Dinner isserved at all groups.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

2nd Monday each month6:00-8:00 PMCome have dinner and be pamperedby the talented professionals fromSpa Sydell.

SPA SYDELL NIGHTAT CAMP SUNSHINE

2nd and 4th Wednesday each month12:15 PM – 1:45 PMJoin us for lunch, music class and afun activity! For campers birth – 6years of age and their preschool agesiblings.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC CLASS

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S

J U L Y 2 0 1 0

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

A U G U S T 2 0 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

For any House programs, we ask that you RSVP to 404-325-7979

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

7

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24SavannahRegional Program

Family Night

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

Teen Group North

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Spa Sydell Night

Spa Sydell Night

Pre-SchoolMusic ClassTeen Group North

Pre-SchoolMusic Class

Family Night

Hit-A-Home-Run

Sibling Campat Camp TwinLakes

Teen Lock-In

SeptemberWild Adventures

October 1-3Family Camp at Camp Twin Lakes

October 8-10Family Camp at Camp Twin Lakes

October 15-17Remember the SunshineWeekend

November 12-14Teen Retreat

SAVE THESE DATES

May 22Bike ride with Georgia PowerPlant Wansley in Roopville, GA

June 5Taste of the South in Washington,D.C. benefitting Camp Sunshine

June 15Keencheefoonee Road Race atteen week summer camp

June 22Keencheefoonee Road Race atjunior week summer camp

September 11Pre-school apple orchard trip

UPCOMING SPECIALEVENTS

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

REGIONAL PROGRAMMING

Rememberingthe SunshineFamily Night

SeasonalSunshine

Camp Sunshine offers support andcounseling for children, teens andyoung adults ages 5-23 regardingillness-related issues and concerns.Call Terri Sexton, LMSW, at 404-325-7979 for details.

Camp Sunshine continues to provideregional programming. We will nowprovide programs in all areas of thestate in addition to programs in theMetro Atlanta area. Checkout ourwebsite www.mycampsunshine.com,the newsletter and your mail forprograms coming to your area.

Teen Group

Teen Group

Sunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/ScottishRite

Teen Outdoor Leadership ExcursionSunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/Eglston

Sunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/ScottishRite

Sunshine 2 Uat AFLAC CancerCenter/Eglston

C A M P S U N S H I N E P O S T C A R D S

1850 Clairmont RoadDecatur, GA 30033

404-325-7979www.mycampsunshine.com

NON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGEPAID

ATLANTA, GAPERMIT # 1156

®

8

Camp Sunshine Postcardsis published three times annually

for friends and supporters ofCamp Sunshine.

What better way to spend a Valentine’s Day afternoon than under a Big Top ringing with the sounds of bellylaughs? More than 1,100 circus lovers, including 174 Camp Sunshine families, enjoyed breathtaking feats ofhumor by daredevil clown Bello at the sixth annual Camp Sunshine Day the Big Apple Circus on February14th. The event raised close to $100,000 this year, bringing the six-year total raised for Camp Sunshine’syear-round programs to more than $530,000. A heartfelt thank-you to Mo Thrash, long-time friend to andchampion of Camp Sunshine, for being a wonderful Honorary Ringmaster. Camp Sunshine salutes oursweetheart sponsors for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day of circus fun.�

Families Enjoy a Bowlful of Bello AtCamp Sunshine Day at Big Apple Circus

PRESENTING SPONSORThe Coca-Cola Company

RINGMASTER SPONSORAFLAC

CENTER RING SPONSORSGeorgia PowerThe Odom Family

RaceTracACROBATIC SPONSORSCartoon NetworkDiaz FoodsEquifaxKaufman Realty GroupBrooke and Stephen RitcheyDiane and Randolph RoweTowersource Inc.

MEDIA SPONSORSAtlanta Journal-ConstitutionFitzgerald + COGraphic Solutions GroupMind’s Eye

Sincere thanks, too, to ourmany terrific HighwireSponsors!We couldn’t do itwithout you.