Being a kid is tough – you have to listen to your parents all the time (who may or may not have what’s best for you in mind, regardless of what they claim – and either way you may not like it), you have to deal with an outdated and honestly completely incomprehensible school system, and meanwhile your body is undergoing all sorts of changes, both physical and psychological. The only thing tougher than being a kid is being a kid who has cancer. Cancer is known as the worst disease for a reason, as it’s not only deadly (not all cases, but a good majority can be lethal if left untreated – and some are terminal even when treated), but makes sure that it’ll torture you and ravage your body and mind right up until you die in pain. The thought of a child having to fight for their life against something so monstrous is terrifying, doubly so for the child themselves. It’s as much of a mental battle as it is a physical battle, and while the doctors are doing their best to treat the body, the mind goes in the hands of charities such as One Step Camp.
For over 37 years, One Step Camp has organized hundreds of programs for children with cancer. They organize camps for them and try to make them feel included. For a few days, the kids are allowed to feel like, well, kids. They leave their battles behind and go to have fun alongside the camp counselors and various guests (usually entertainers such as Doug Walker, the man behind the incredibly popular online show The Nostalgia Critic) that try to take the children’s minds off of the struggle that they’re undergoing. For a few days, at least, they’re not allowed to be cancer patients – they’re ordinary boys and girls doing things that everyone else their age is also doing. 100% of all donations go towards organizing the camps, which are staffed entirely by volunteers, so One Step Camp is most certainly a worthy cause to donate to. If you’ve just won the jackpot, or if you haven’t, but would still like to help them out, you can do so at their website.