All That Coolness In One Place

Photo credit: http://www.floridabugs.com/images/spiders/daddy_long_legs_lrg.jpg

I saw one of these in my car today and was reminded of a game we used to play as kids when we would encounter one of these. Because I grew up on a farm, we would pick them up, hold them by one of their legs and ask them, "Which way are the cows?"  Miraculously, they would point to the exact location of the cows and then we would let it go. OK, sometimes, we would remove their legs - but we were kids - we were goofy that way.

Had I asked the one I saw today, "Which way is something cool going to happen?", it may have pointed in the direction of Mechanicsville VA. Saturday, is the Camp Phoenix event that I will be attending.

Here is the official press release of the event:

September 1, 2010
Hanover County, VA

Camp Phoenix is a yearly weekend retreat for adult cancer patients and their caregivers that was envisioned, developed, and organized by the members of the Richmond Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society in 1996.  The retreat is a grassroots effort by the nurses of the ONS chapter, and was founded by Kathy Barksdale, NP, OCN, and Pam Miller, NP, AOCNP who recognized the need for respite in their patients.

Camp Phoenix is designed to be a relaxing, rejuvenating, and fun retreat that cancer patients can share together along with the ONS nurses who volunteer their time and money to keep the retreat going at minimal cost to the cancer survivors.  The camp is organized and staffed by oncology nurses.

This year, Camp Phoenix has lost much of its outside financial support due to the economic recession.  As a result, it will be a one-day event, despite efforts by the Richmond ONS nurses to raise adequate funds for a full weekend. “It really hurts the full benefit of Camp Phoenix to have only one day for the survivors to participate”, says Derryel. Johnson, RN, OCN, an oncology nurse for 24 years, and the retreat’s co-chairperson. At Camp Phoenix, cancer survivors can share their triumphs and challenges, have fun, and just relax together in a supportive environment. This is the second year that it will only be a one-day event. The date of the camp will be Saturday, September 18, from 9 AM to 6:30 PM.

The keynote speaker for this year is Mr. Greg Frazee, of Richmond, a cancer “aliver”, as he would like to be known. Tricia Cox, NP, AOCNP, will also present on the topic of survivorship. The day will be full of activities and educational presentations at its usual venue “Camp Hanover”.

Camp Phoenix has been pivotal in providing an outlet for stress and uncertainty in the lives of cancer survivors. Please help the Richmond ONS oncology nurses keep this wonderful event going!

Camp Phoenix is a 501©6 non-profit organization.
For donations and further information regarding Camp Phoenix contact Derryel Johnson at lyvonnern@aol.com or Betty McGarry RN, MSN, at bcm2b@earthlink.net, or Annette Graham at agraham@vacancer.com.

Here's something I'm also excited about in connection with Camp Phoenix. Two people, who were very instrumental in keeping my head on straight throughout the entire process, will meet for the very first time on Saturday. I'm speaking of Annette Graham and Judy Davis (who was my pre-transplant coordinator at MCV). I can't wait for them to meet. I may spend the entire day watching them interact.

I sense it is going to be a great day for everyone. 


"Had I known......"