When Reese was diagnosed with kidney cancer at just 5 years old, her family’s daily life changed in an instant. Doctor visits, hospital stays, and treatment schedules became the new normal. And while Reese bravely faced her illness, her big sister Shelby felt the strain of watching so much of her parents’ time and attention focused on her little sister’s care.
That is where Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® became a lifeline. Here, the whole family discovered a place where cancer did not define their days and where each of them could find a moment to simply breathe.
At Camp, Reese could laugh, explore, and try new things alongside other children who truly understood her journey. Shelby, meanwhile, found the chance to step out of the role of protector and just enjoy being a kid. Her parents were grateful to see both daughters relax into a sense of normalcy. “Being surrounded by families who get it, it’s healing in ways that are hard to describe,” Reese's mom shared.
What makes Camp so powerful is that it does not just serve one child. It lifts up the entire family. Parents return home recharged, siblings feel seen, and children in treatment reclaim joy and independence.
This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, families like Reese’s remind us why your support matters. You make sure that children and their loved ones have spaces of comfort, connection, and joy, even in the midst of a difficult medical journey.
