Tuesday at Camp Heart Connection

While it was a little chilly and a little muddy at Camp today, we finally avoided the rain! All of the Camp activities were open and campers had a lot to do today.

The highlight of the day was in the afternoon when the ambulance drove to Camp from Blank Children's Hospital and the lifeflight helicopter flew into Camp and landed in the field. After both the ambulance and the helicopter arrived, campers were allowed to go inside both of the different modes of transportation (keeping with this week's travel theme - 'All Aboard!') to check things out. The campers loved talking to the medical professionals that came to visit and they asked a lot of questions.

After a delicious dinner, which consisted of BBQ'd chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls and brownies, a few different activities opened up for the cabins. The crew from the Big Wheel Rally came up to Camp and brought a few of their custom big wheels for a big wheel race. There was a wild game of Capture the Flag on the field - campers vs. counselors, of course - which lasted for a few hours. Arts and Crafts opened up for a special night craft and a few of the younger cabins got to enjoy s'mores around the campfire!

Later this evening campers have the option of "camping out" in Pioneer Hall where the Disney movie "Cars" will be played. After the movie it's lights out so we can all get enough sleep for Wednesday!

Thanks for stopping by! Here are a few photos from the day:

Monday at Camp Heart Connection!

Happy Monday from Camp Heart Connection, a program of Children's Cancer Connection! It's been a rainy start to the week, but we've still managed to have a lot of fun.

Today the campers were inside during the morning and early afternoon hours due to the rain, but they had the chance to get outside during the afternoon. When the weather cleared up the campers were able to ride horses, climb the rock wall, play basketball and even take a dip in the pool!

For dinner our friends from Karsyn's Krusaders came to grill for us! They had a great array of hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes and even watermelon. Karsyn's Krusaders also showed the campers their race car and campers were able to take photos with the car! The food was great, the car was a hit and we couldn't have been more impressed the with crew from Karsyn's Krusaders.

After dinner we had a few donors and guests visit Camp for Guest Night. All donors who have donated a camper scholarship ($300 or more) in the past year are invited to join us at Camp for Guest Night. This year Guest Night included: tours, a skit put on by the campers, and an ice cream social! We had a great group of donors and board members who came to see Camp in action.

This evening the campers will showcase their vocal abilities at all Camp karaoke. Each cabin takes a turn to sing a song for the rest of the campers. After karaoke the older campers have the Teen Dance and then it's off to bed!

Thanks for stopping by the CCC blog and sorry for the wait! Sometimes it's hard to get good reception at Camp, but we promise that we're doing our best. Thanks again for your patience.

Here are a few photos from Monday: (click on the photos to make make them larger)

Danny Joe Memorial Golf Tournament to exceed $100,000 in donations

Since 1998, the Danny Joe Memorial Golf Tournament has supported Children’s Cancer Connection, and this year, with its 15th anniversary, the tournament will have donated over $100,000 to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection.

The tournament is held in memory of Danny Joe Cornish, son of Billie and Kelly Cornish, who passed away from cancer at the young age of five. Danny created the logo which is used for Camp Heart Connection, a program of Children’s Cancer Connection, which provides two week-long summer camps for children affected by childhood cancer. Danny and his siblings have had the opportunity to attend Camp Heart Connection, and the Cornish family continues to support the Camp year after year with the success of their family-organized golf tournament.

“Children’s Cancer Connection gave us a positive way to channel our grieving by participating in fundraisers and by volunteering,” said Billie Cornish, one of the golf tournaments’ organizers. “Focusing our energy on the tournament made us feel like we were doing something that mattered. It’s been really great for our family. We’re doing something to make the childhood cancer journey a little bit easier for other families and honoring Danny at the same time.”

This year, the annual tournament will be held on Friday, June 10, at the Oskaloosa Golf Club in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The tournament includes 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch, great raffle prizes, fun camaraderie and post-tournament activities. For more information about the Danny Joe Memorial Golf Tournament, please visit: http://www.childrenscancerconnection.org/.

"Give Back Days" to benefit Children's Cancer Connection

Children's Cancer Connection has been selected as one of 10 local charities that will benefit from "Give Back Days" at West Glen Town Center. From 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on June 11, July 9 and August 13 participating businesses will donate 5% of their sales to the 10 selected local charities.

It's your chance to take a stroll around the beautiful West Glen Town Center, purchase a few items, go for lunch at Gino's and feel good knowing that you're supporting Children's Cancer Connection, and a few other deserving, local charities, along the way!

A special thanks goes to the 12 participating businesses: Art by Magic, Artis Home Gallerie, Autumn Leaf Gifts, Bella Boutique, Blue Willis, Fuel Juice Bar, Gino’s, Jake’s Journey, StylEyes, The Great Frame Up, Three Dog Bakery, and WineStyles!

Charity Boutique to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection

This month, C’est Bon, a new charity boutique, opened in Valley Junction at 232 5th Street in Des Moines. Owner Bonnie Baldwin came up with the idea to open a designer retail store that would accept donations from retail stores and local community members with some of the proceeds benefiting Children’s Cancer Connection. C’est Bon will feature clothing, accessories, and even home décor.


Baldwin chose to support Children’s Cancer Connection by donating some of the proceeds from the store to the organization because she dealt with cancer at the age of 27.

“I know what it felt like when I went through it as an adult,” Baldwin said. “I can’t imagine going through that as a 10-year-old, let alone a 2-year-old who has no idea what’s going on!”

C’est Bon will help promote awareness of Children’s Cancer Connection as well as raise funds for the organizations programs and services. Baldwin plans to get settled into her new store, have a smooth opening and then she hopes to start promoting the mission and ideals of Children’s Cancer Connection.

Baldwin’s favorite part about supporting Children’s Cancer Connection through C’est Bon is knowing that she’ll be working to raise funds for a local organization. Many donors have told Baldwin that they are especially excited to know that the money she will raise through the sales of their items will be going to a great, local organization.

“I get to help raise funds for an organization that is incredibly worthwhile and I wanted to help a local organization,” Baldwin said, “…not just send money to the home office in Atlanta.”

The partnership between C’est Bon and Children’s Cancer Connection is new, but both partners are excited to work with one another. Coming soon all are invited to browse through C’est Bon’s items, to donate items or to learn more about Children’s Cancer Connection. Since the store just opened this month and they are still looking for volunteers call ahead to verify hours. The number is 515-255-5885.

More fashion news: You can also find some of the latest styles from C’est Bon at Couture for a Cause, an inaugural fashion show benefiting Children’s Cancer Connection, this Saturday, April 2 at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Introducing Reusable CCC Grocery Bags

You can help support Children’s Cancer Connection by purchasing some of our new reusable grocery bags. The bags come in a variety of colors and are very sturdy. They make great gifts and are perfect for grocery shopping. Plus, they are a stylish way to spread awareness about Children’s Cancer Connection as you use and re-use them!

The graphic for the bag includes words that represent our organization, such as: courage, willpower, strength, bravery, and many more. The bags come in a variety of colors including: turquoise, dark purple, lime green, black, and royal blue, all with yellow text. Each bag is only $5.00, which includes shipping and handling.

This limited edition bag could be yours, visit http://www.childrenscancerconnection.org/ReusableBags to purchase a bag today!