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On the first weekend of June, CancerCare hosted the seventh annual Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, a free retreat for families with children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer. In the second part of our blog post about the camp, the families take advantage of the many activities offered by the Malibu Dude Ranch, including horseback riding, fishing, archery and paddleboating.

The families also participated in a memorial candle lighting service, saw a rodeo show and attended a resilience panel, featuring talks by CancerCare clients who experienced the loss of a parent, a spouse or a child, and found ways to cope over time.

On the first weekend of June, CancerCare hosted the seventh annual Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, a free retreat for families with children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer. 31 families spent the weekend at Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, PA at a star-themed retreat, where they swam, rode horses and processed their healing journey.

“I had the chance to talk to many people, grieving from different losses – children, parents, spouses. Everyone was raising children in the midst of this,” recounts Theta P. “We were able to listen to each other and tell stories; we understood each other the way few can.”

A dynamic team of CancerCare’s oncology social workers presented at this year’s Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) Annual Conference. Created in 1984 by social workers interested in oncology and by existing national cancer organizations, AOSW is an expanding force of psychosocial oncology professionals. The annual meeting serves as a wonderful opportunity to advance the field of oncology social work, as well as to highlight the important work conducted by CancerCare’s social workers.

Graphic designer and cancer survivor Katie, 19, put her artistic talents to use by creating an inspirational calendar benefiting CancerCare. “I donated to CancerCare because their money goes towards the patients and families,” she shares. “I felt the pain first hand of the patient’s side of cancer, so I wanted my donation to go towards an organization that has the patients in mind.”

Over 400 guests gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on April 22 in support of CancerCare. The 2015 gala raised over $900,000 and featured an address by legendary reporter Sam Donaldson, who served as the event’s Honorary Co-Chair.

CancerCare’s free Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp allows families who have experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer to come together for a weekend retreat. Check out our Indiegogo page to help us make this unique experience available to additional families!

A natural actor and people person, 15-year-old Myron Theilmeier quickly took center stage at CancerCare events and gatherings, performing karaoke at the annual holiday party and connecting with others at the Healing Hearts Camp and Walk/Run for Hope. Now, Myron will take the stage once again to share his story at the 2015 CancerCare Gala.

Registration is now open for families interested in spending a weekend at CancerCare’s Healing Hearts Bereavement Camp, a free retreat for those coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer. The seventh annual camp will take place on June 5-7 at Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, PA. The camp combines fun activities such as swimming and horseback riding with therapeutic grief activities to provide emotional support.

As more patient care is happening within the home, caregivers are becoming increasingly responsible for providing ongoing emotional and practical support. However, fewer than 15 percent of caregivers seek professional help in addressing their own physical, emotional and financial needs. In celebration of National Family Caregivers Month, CancerCare encourages caregivers to seek out support.

Most teens and young adults face the everyday challenges of school, jobs and relationships. But if you are a teen or young adult who is also caring for a loved one with cancer, you know firsthand how a cancer diagnosis can bring on a whole new set of concerns.