Click here to support Comfort Zone Camp and my goal of raising $2,011 for Comfort Zone Camp!
On August 3, 1998 I saw the one thing a child should never see in their young life.
Their parent’s obituary.
My father, Donald Knapp, died on August 2, 1998 due to complications from End Renal Failure (Kidney Failure) and inoperable brain cancer. He was 42 years old, just one week shy of his 43rd birthday. I was 14 years old, heading into my Sophomore year of high school and it was the worst day of my life.
The pictures above show how quickly the cancer took hold. The first picture was Christmas 1997 and the second picture was six months later in June 1998. The cancer ravaged his body and he had no chance to fight it.
I wish I was the only child to have ever went through this, but sadly I’m part of an estimated 1 out of every 9 children who will lose a parent before turning 20.
While we as a society are working to cure cancer, prevent violent crime and stop senseless acts of violence, little is done to help the children whom are affected daily by these tragic events.
Those of us who have been affected know all too well the feelings that accompany the loss of a parent. Grief, anger, loneliness overwhelm while 75% think their life would have been much better if their parent hadn’t died when they were young. (I’m part of this 75%)
Run for Dad – August 9th
On Tuesday, August 9th I’ll run my first marathon (aka. Run For Dad) to honor his life and to support my ongoing cause to raise funds for Comfort Zone Camp. Since I took up serious training two years ago I knew I wanted to run my first marathon on my Dad’s birthday away from the craziness of a normal marathon. What better year to do it as I’ll challenge myself even further to run the Blue Springs 50 miler on October 30.
What is Comfort Zone Camp?
Comfort Zone Camp is the nation’s largest bereavement camp which transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. The free camps include confidence building programs and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone Camps are offered to children 7-17, and are held year-round in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.
One night while searching online I came across the Comfort Zone Camp website and immediately felt a connection (and tears down my face) while learning some of the camper’s stories. I remember the feeling of loneliness and grief which overcame me while I was coming to grips with what happened.
How can you help?
My ultimate goal is to raise $2,011 during 2011 for CZC. This would allow four children to attend camp all expenses paid. At the same time, it is important to spread the word about Comfort Zone Camp and the crucial job it does helping those who are dealing with loss at such a critical time in life.
To donate to 2,011 in 2011, visit my CZC support page on FirstGiving. If not, you can copy this tweet and use it to spread the word about CZC and the cause.
Please support @ComfortZoneCamp and @ryanknapp during the “Run for Dad” Visit http://bit.ly/ngpgH6 for info!
The support I’ve received so far has been incredible and I thank each and everyone of you for all of your support to help children know they are not alone.
Thank you for reading and supporting in any way you can.
What a great tribute to your dad! My dad lost his dad when he was nine to blood cancer. That would not happen today with all of the new treatments. Have a great run!!!
Caroline VanDeusen
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