Stephanie's Story

I have had such a tremendously difficult time putting into words what my experience on Sunday meant to me. I have been tempted to describe how inspiring each child, each revelation, each volunteer, each staff member, and truly each moment was, but I truly cannot convey the impact Comfort Zone Camp managed to have in so few hours.

I have spent the entirety of the 15 years since my parents passing working to dissolve the mysteries of the disease that stole them from me.

I have worked fairly tirelessly to give back to the universe, to participate in a fairly global war on cancer, in the hopes that other children will be saved from the loss that I experienced. I have literally dedicated the last 6 years of my life to laboratory science, in the hopes of making some small contribution to the field.

As I sat in the Healing Circle on Sunday afternoon, and each child grieved the loss of their loved one (often due to cancer), I realized how great the need is for me to give back in other ways. The environment created at Comfort Zone Camp is truly magical, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity to witness even a snippet of the healing your program can offer.

I look forward to many camps to follow, and hope that my 'Littles' benefit as much as I already have.

- Stephanie Kinkel
Massachusetts volunteer