Periwinkle Foundation

Camp Periwinkle - Since 1983, The Periwinkle Foundation, celebrating its 42nd Anniversary, has provided a week-long camp for children with cancer and blood disorders, as well as their siblings. Periwinkle brought 134 campers, ages 7 to 15, to Camp Periwinkle in 2024. Campers came from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Many would not have the means to attend a summer camp even if they were well. Periwinkle provides clothing, bedding, and toiletries for any camper in need. Sad faces turned bright in a week packed with a month's worth of amazing experiences. With the help of more than 86 enthusiastic volunteers, cancer was forgotten, children realized they were not alone in their circumstances, siblings felt loved, and parents had an entire week to address their emotional healing.

Camp YOLO - In its 26th year, Camp YOLO (You Only Live Once) addresses the unique challenges faced by adolescents living with cancer, renal, cardiac, rheumatology, or HIV-related illnesses. While most teens worry about how many text messages they can send, teens with serious illnesses confront genuine life-and-death issues and seemingly unending hospital routines. For two weekends each year, these young people can rejuvenate with others who understand their struggles, anxieties, and fears. Campers learn teamwork and leadership skills, and by the end of a fun-packed and emotion-filled weekend, they leave knowing they are not alone and have what it takes to keep fighting their illness. Over 186 campers attended the April/September camp sessions, along with approximately 101 dedicated volunteers each session.

Long-Term Survivor - In 2024, Periwinkle's Long-Term Survivor program featured a weekend retreat, providing opportunities for young adult survivors to come together, share experiences, learn life skills, and give back to the cancer community. It also included monthly socials for cancer survivors, providing emotional, social, and professional support. Over 114 survivors had encounters through these life-enhancing opportunities. Twenty-eight Long Term Survivors volunteered as camp counselors in 2024.Family Camp held in April/September for Houston Families and in November for families at the Vannie Cook Cancer Clinic in McAllen, TX, welcomed 27 families with a newly diagnosed child to get away from the hospital routine, forget about their child's illness, create cherished family memories and meet other families who understand the stresses they are experiencing due to a child's cancer diagnosis.Periwinkle Day Camp, an inner-city week-long camp for patients aged 7-12, welcomed 46 campers for a magical week of camp in the city. This program enables campers who may not be able to participate in our overnight camps due to medical needs to have an incredible camping experience.