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Message from our Executive
Director, Lisa Knight RN
Message from our CEO
Our history
Camp del Corazon (Camp of the Heart) was inspired by a
patient of Dr. Kevin Shannon, and Nurse Lisa Knight. Even though the young man had
undergone an operation that dramatically improved the
function of his heart, he was still suffering from emotional
pain. He was back in school, back in little league baseball,
even trying in-line skating for the first time, but he was
so embarrassed by his scars that he wouldn’t remove his
shirt to be examined by the doctor.
Dr. Shannon felt that if his patient could spend time
with other kids who’d had heart surgery, he’d be less
self-conscious. He located a camp in Louisiana for kids with
heart disease, but the young man’s mother just couldn’t bear
to send him so far away. When Dr. Shannon discussed the
situation with Lisa Knight, R.N., her solution was simple:
“We can do that.” And so they did.
They set about fund-raising to ensure that the
medically-supervised summer camp would be free for children
ages 7-17 who had heart disease. When Camp del Corazon began
in 1995, 49 campers spent three days on beautiful Catalina
Island off the coast of Southern California. Over the years,
the camp has grown to two five-day sessions with close to
300 campers. Camp del Corazon is staffed completely by
volunteer counselors, nurses, and physicians who give of
their hearts to help these special kids.
Camp del Corazon has grown into a non-profit
organization dedicated to providing experiential programs
for children and families living with heart disease.
Programs include a free-of-charge, residential summer camp,
leadership retreats, educational symposiums and family
weekend programs custom designed to enrich the lives of
their unique population.
" Merely treating heart disease is not
enough; we must strive in every way to make these children feel
normal, and good about themselves."
Founded in 1995, Camp del Corazon was
the first medically supervised free camp specifically for
children with heart disease in the Western United States.
We remain the largest camp of our kind on the West Coast.
Since its inception, camp has grown from
one weekend session of 49 campers to three 5-day sessions
now accommodating approximately 400 campers each year.
Camp del Corazon is fully accredited by the
American Camping Association.
The cost to send one child to camp is approximately
$1,500, and to this day, Camp del Corazon has not charged a
single camper to attend.
Camp del Corazon is a 501 (c) non-profit
organization funded entirely by grants, fundraisers and
private donations.
All programs are staffed entirely by
volunteer doctors, nurses and counselors.
The camp features a fully-equipped infirmary and
sick campers can be transported by boat or airlifted to the
mainland quickly and safely while at Catalina Island, and
all local authorities are on medical alert standby while
camp is at the Malibu site.
Camp del Corazon has created additional programs
which offer new and exciting opportunities for children
living with heart disease such as a Tall Ships Program and a
Mammoth Mountain Snow Weekend.
Camp del Corazon has created a PACE Program for
young adults ages 18-25 who are going thru transitional
changes into adulthood.
The PACE Program consists of weekend retreats with
peers and mentors to address the issues of living as an
adult with congenital heart disease.
The American Heart Association funds a yearly
Family Symposium which provides an opportunity for families
to learn from experts in the field of Pediatric and
Congenital Cardiology.
Our Family Symposium also creates an environment
for families to network and share stories and seek advice
from others dealing with similar issues and for the siblings
to share in our programs.
Our Organization
Lisa Knight, RN Executive Director & Co-founder
Kevin Shannon, MD Medical Director or & Co-founder
Glenn Knight, CRM CEO-Board Member
Tom Klitzner, MD - Board Member
Bill Cabeen, MD - Board Member
Janene Hogan - Board Member
Michael Paseornak - Board Member
Mark Plunkett, MD Medical advisory Board
William G. Stevenson, MD Medical advisory Board
John R. Shiner Esq, - General Consul
Telephone
(818) 754-0312
Fax
(818) 754-0842
Toll Free - Message Center
(888) 621-4800
Corporate Office:
Camp del Corazon
11615 Hesby Street
North Hollywood, CA
91601-3620
information@campdelcorazon.org
Temecula Office:
41833 Carleton Way
Temecula, CA 92591-2800
Telephone (951) 265-9718
Fax (951) 676-7196
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