April 2, 2008

Decatur Club Fundraiser to Benefit Camp COCO

The Decatur Breakfast Optimist Club is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Camp COCO on Friday, April 11.  “Let’s Go Camping” is set for 6 to 10 p.m. at the Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur.  The funds will go to Camp COCO, a summer camp for children with cancer, sponsored by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Music will be provided by Rock-of-Ages.  The cost to attend the event is $30 per person or $300 for a sponsored table of 10.  A $100 “Puppy Goes to Camp” sponsorship includes an event reservation as well as sending a TY™ puppy to a camper at this year’s Camp COCO.  Dress is casual and can be camping attire.  Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.  There will be a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction.

Camp COCO, a one-week camp for children with cancer and other blood disorders, hosted more than 120 children from 62 towns in central Illinois last July.  This year’s camp is July 6-11 at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Bloomington.  Camp COCO is headed by Dr. Gregory Brandt, assistant professor of pediatrics and director of pediatric hematology and oncology at SIU School of Medicine.

The campers spend the week enjoying typical camping activities: fishing, boating, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, arts and crafts and singing around the campfire.  They also receive special attention from SIU’s pediatric staff, several of whom spend the week providing medical care and getting to know their patients better.  The camp’s Web site is www.siumed.edu/foundation/campcoco.htm.

For more information about the fundraiser, contact the SIU Foundation Office in Springfield, 217-545-9402, or Steve Caldwell of Decatur, who is organizing the event, 217-720-3861 or stvecaldwell@aol.com.

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