Amanda was definitely put into my life for a reason. She taught me how to be a better person, how to keep going when things got tough, and most importantly, how to find the humor in everything. She had a bright personality and cared so much about the well-being of others. She was a wonderful friend. Amanda battled Pulmonary Hypertension, a rare, life-altering chronic illness. She didn't let it define her. She strived to live life to the fullest while spreading awareness of her chronic illness to those who sought to learn about it.
A place that she loved so much that she experienced it from both the camper and the counselor side is North Star Reach Camp. It is a barrier-free, fully-accessible medical camp serving children with significant health challenges. Campers form friendships with those who truly understand what they are going through and enjoy summer camp experiences. We recently lost Amanda, and her wish was to provide other kids with serious medical conditions the opportunity to attend camp. The campers and families pay no fee to attend thanks to generous donors like you.
"A growing body of evidence-based research shows that underneath all the fun, children with serious illnesses who attend summer camp experience improved well-being." https://www.northstarreach.org/about-us/overview/
I will be running a 5K on October 2nd to raise money for North Star Reach Camp. Please consider donating to this non-profit organization that gives kids with chronic illnesses a place to truly just be kids.
