Friday, May 11, 2001
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Friday, May 11, 2001 |
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Cancer kids visit Collins
U.S. Reps. Mac Collins and Saxby Chambliss met in the Capitol recently with a group of teenagers suffering from cancer. They were from Camp Sunshine, in Georgia, which provides programs for children battling the disease. The camp, in Chambliss' 8th congressional District, was founded in 1983 for children stricken by cancer. It began with 40 children for one week, and now provides services for hundreds of children. As part of its varied programs, the camp's executive director, Sally Hale, brought 22 teens and 10 adults to Washington to tour the city and learn more about government. Collins spoke to the children about his own political career, in which several of his first election efforts were unsuccessful. "Never stop trying," he told the teenagers before he and Chambliss answered questions on subjects ranging from politics to the federal judiciary, to why a large local store did not have wheel chairs for disabled patrons. Four of the children on the tour came from Collins' 3rd District. They were Holly Rakestraw of Newnan, Hugh Farmer IV of Grantville, Brandy Brown of Columbus, and Paul Waldrop of Sharpsburg. The visit with Collins and Chambliss was greatly appreciated by the children, said Hale. Hale, a registered nurse, said Camp Sunshine was founded to help children who sometimes become isolated from their peers due to their illness and the demands of treatment. She said Camp Sunshine programs help the children realize they are not alone in their struggle with cancer and gives them the opportunity to learn new skills, to develop independence and to participate in activities that promote normal childhood development.
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