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Camp helps adults
coping with cancer Calabasas retreat provides patients, loved ones a stress-free sanctuary By Serena Maria Daniels, Special to the Daily News Four years ago, Dan Guiteras went to the doctor believing he had appendicitis. Instead, he was diagnosed with cancer. The life-changing event made Guiteras even more thankful for the time he can spend with his two young daughters and wife. And Camp Keepsake has helped him spend more of it. "I've wished for continued health, a cure. Mostly it's about hope that you'll live long enough to see your kids get through high school," the Newbury Park resident said of his feelings -- and those of many of the other attendees of the annual retreat. Nestled in the Malibu Canyons in Calabasas, the camp is in its fifth year as a retreat for adults who have, or have had, cancer. Attendees can bring as many as five relatives or friends to relax and enjoy everything from spa treatments to traditional camp activities. "A lot of times it's hard for people who have to deal with the daily stresses of doctors' visits or paying for treatment; they really don't get a chance to relax and pamper themselves a little," said Christopher Roos, founder and president of the Cancer Hope Foundation, which organizes the camp. The foundation pays the costs for the campers and their guests, which can run into the thousands of dollars, depending on transportation, said foundation board member Dianne Carlson. "We spend most of the year raising money for the camp," said Carlson. "It's important that people are able to go to this camp free of charge." Volunteer board members screen applicants for the four-day retreat. The camp tries to admit everyone who applies, although finances don't always allow it. Attendees come from a variety of backgrounds, including some who are in treatment and others who have recovered. Roos, who founded the camp after the death of two roommates, said this blending of experiences allows campers to learn from one another. "It's nice when someone who is still coping with the disease can come to another person who is recovered and ask them how they dealt with certain situations," Roos said. "It's really not so much about the cancer as it is having people around that you can relate to." Guiteras -- who has gone to the camp with his family for the past four years -- said the retreat has given his family the time to talk about the illness and escape some of the stresses of being sick. "My youngest daughter doesn't really understand what's going on, so she kind of sees it as a fun family vacation," said Guiteras, whose cancer went into remission until March, when it was detected in his lung. "But my older daughter is starting to understand what I'm going through. We get an honest chance to talk about it at camp." -- Serena Maria Daniels, (818) 713-3636 serena.daniels@dailynews.com. INSIDE Camp Keepsake is accepting applications for its Oct. 7-9 retreat. The deadline is Sept. 1. To apply, call (805) 384-5445 or go to the Cancer Hope Foundation Web site at www.cancerhopefoundation.org |