In May of 2006, my oldest daughter Sienna was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. On that day our life and our family changed forever. During Sienna's treatment we found Camp Sunshine. One of the only camps for children with a life threatening illness and their families. So we all packed up for camp. In August of 2007,  we spent the best week of our lives at the oncology session. Each member of the family benefited differently from what camp had to offer. We didn't pay for anything and we were showered with love and attention the entire time. Sienna told me she felt "normal" at Camp Sunshine and for the first time in a year she was just an 8 year old girl having fun.

After Sienna passed away we went back to camp as a broken family for the bereavement session. There we learned how to laugh again, cry hard and share Sienna with other families who understand the loss of a child. What a special weekend it is and each year we return to what sometimes feels like our lifeline.

Giving back- For the past 3 years we have returned to the same oncology session we attended with Sienna to volunteer at Camp Sunshine. Words can't describe how great it feels to making the kids at camp happy. Helping the parents to relax or lending a shoulder to cry on. For a week in August we get to give the "magic" of camp that we received in 2007.

I can't think of a better place to raise money and awareness for. I set my goal at $5,000 which is enough to send an entire family to camp for 1 week.
When I run I think about Sienna and her struggle and all of a sudden my struggle for another mile no longer feels like a struggle. I will run Chicago in October with Sienna and all my camp sunshine friends close to my heart.

Thank you-
Sienna mom & 4 time Marathoner Patty