Published on July 15, 2011

Camp Genesis -- Taking a break from cancer in the family

Shaylee Mortensen couldn't have been more shocked when her Grandma Susie, a nurse, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer two years ago.

"She's the healthiest person I've ever met in my life. She ran, ate well, worked out on her treadmill, and never smoked. She's the last person you would ever expect to get lung cancer," says Shaylee, 14, of Moline. "We were all shocked and saddened by her diagnosis. It was pretty rough in the beginning."

In summer 2010, Shaylee went to Camp Genesis -- a weeklong summer camp for kids affected by cancer in their families. The camp at YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln is a collaboration of the Genesis Cancer Care Institute, the Scott County Family Y and Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities. It's free to kids, courtesy of Genesis.

Amid the horseback riding, canoeing and swimming, she felt the support of other kids coping with the unwelcome disease in their family. She had a break from the pressures of cancer. She could enjoy normal summer fun at a time when life hadn't been so normal.

"It was super fun, and there were a lot of nice kids who had something in common with me -- someone with cancer in their family," says Shaylee, a Moline High School student. "Everyone understood the struggles I was going through."

This week, Shaylee went to Camp Genesis for a second time, with a more experienced outlook on life with cancer in the family. After two years, her Grandma Susie is still undergoing chemotherapy. The hair she lost as a result of chemotherapy is growing back and "is soft like bunny hair," Shaylee says.

"My grandma has overcome great odds," Shaylee says. "I'm so proud of her. Others might have given up, but she has made it through and kept strong."

Now more confident, Shaylee can reach out and connect with fellow Camp Genesis campers whose families are earlier in the cancer journey. Out of 46 campers this year, about half came to Camp Genesis for the first time.

"It's great when we see returning campers like Shaylee, who come back with less anxiety and less fear because they better understand cancer treatment," say Gilda's Club counselor Anita Shaft. "They can connect with newer campers and say, 'I remember being where you're at now' and 'This is how I felt.' That's what it's all about -- peer connection and learning together."

Not all about cancer

Camp Genesis' goal isn't to focus on cancer; it's to provide a fun camp environment so kids can forget their worries.

For a short time each day, however, they take a break from camp activity and spend time with Anita Shaft, who leads them in a hands-on activity -- whether it's an art project to open up self-discovery, or a game to encourage dialogue about difficult cancer topics.

"We help them understand that good things can come out of a negative situation," Shaft says. "They can explore in a positive way what cancer means to them."

This Wednesday, campers also took a field trip to the Genesis Cancer Care Institute in Davenport, where they familiarized themselves with cancer-fighting radiation technology; saw radiation treatment planning; learned about cancer nutrition, rehabilitation exercise and the harmful effects of the sun and tobacco use; saw a mock chemotherapy infusion; and, even tried on wigs.

"The trip to the Genesis Cancer Care Institute helps them to better visualize what their loved one is going through," Shaft says. "They've all heard words like 'chemotherapy' and 'radiation.' Now, they can see what it is, and hopefully alleviate some of their anxiety and fears."

Kids with cancer in their families want normalcy in their lives. Unfortunately, cancer can be isolating. Their young friends sometimes don't know how to react, or how to help. That's not a problem at Camp Genesis, where everyone is united by a common bond.

"Grandma Susie has helped raised Shaylee and been an important part of her life," says Shaylee's mother, Shellie Darr.

"Camp Genesis put her into an environment where she can discuss things with kids her own age who truly understand." Camp Genesis supports children of families struggling with the financial and emotional impact of cancer.

"The Genesis Cancer Care Institute is not just about cancer-fighting technology and treatments. It's also about providing emotional and educational support for patients and families," says Sally Werner, Director of the Genesis Cancer Care Institute. "It provides a much-needed opportunity for 'kids to just be kids' at a time when life is demanding so much of them. It also gives a break to parents stressed by illness who need to reflect, relax and recuperate."

Learning from the cancer journey

Shaylee is able to look back on her grandmother's cancer journey and see some positives.

"I'm more thankful for my good health, and I've started running races," Shaylee says. "At last year's Bix 7, I walked the race with my mom and grandma. My Mom and I just completed the Genesis Firecracker Run -- the race that has always been my grandma's favorite. In support of my grandma, I'm planning to run more races."

She also has learned the importance of having a positive attitude in the face of cancer. Grandma Susie, who has eight grandchildren, has 20 years of running trophies and medals and still tries to exercise every day, even on days she is weak from chemotherapy.

"You need to reach out and help the person in your family who has cancer," Shaylee concludes. "If they're sad or depressed, you need to tell them what has been good about their life and help them to stay strong. You have to be their rock."