Children affected by cancer, ages 4 through high school, are invited to attend the American Cancer Society’s Camp Rainbow the week of June 19. The Society, in cooperation with Eastern Maine Medical Center, the Bangor Ronald McDonald House, and the Bangor YMCA Camp Jordan, has been offering this week-long camping experience to children with cancer for 18 years. Thanks to the financial contributions from the American Cancer Society’s many friends and donors, participants will be able to attend Camp Rainbow free of charge.

Camp Rainbow operates at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake in Ellsworth, a facility on more than 200 acres with a well-developed waterfront, spacious dining hall, ropes course, various athletic areas, a theater stage, and an arts and crafts building. The camping experience helps children diagnosed with cancer as well as their siblings, to meet others affected by cancer, to bolster their self-esteem and confidence and have fun.

Children currently in treatment for cancer as well as those who are up to 10 years post-treatment are eligible. Children ages 4 to 6 may attend with a parent or guardian; those 7 and older may attend alone. Attendance is subject to the approval of the medical director. Maine children are given preference but children from out-of-state are also encouraged to apply.

Chemotherapy and blood tests are given on site by the medical staff, and the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic at Eastern Maine Medical Center provides 24-hour medical staffing for the week. There is generally a ratio of eight campers to one cabin counselor, with two staff in each cabin at night.

For more information and an application for this year’s Camp Rainbow experience, please contact Cheryl Tucker at the American Cancer Society at 207.373.3709 or 1.800.464.3102, press 3.

The American Cancer Society is the nation-wide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.