Your donations at work
Impact you can trust
Since 1983, we’ve worked hard to ensure every dollar you donate serves a purpose and supports kids and families affected by childhood cancer.
Support the social cure for cancer
Camp Ooch is a privately funded, Ontario-based nonprofit whose goal is to help kids affected by childhood cancer be kids again. Every year, we recruit over 600 Camp Volunteers and 100 Medical Staff & Volunteers to spread the healing Magic of Ooch.
Our In-Hospital, Community, and Overnight Camp and Virtual Camp programs are designed to help kids and their families at any stage of the cancer journey. We also have palliative programs, and Teomul programs made specifically for bereaved siblings.
All Ooch programming is provided to families free of charge – none of this would be possible without our Volunteers and generous donors like you.
Like a regular camp, times 10
Our special facilities and Medical Staff & Volunteers make Camp Ooch the only oncology Camp in Canada able to provide on-site IV chemotherapy and blood transfusions. Ooch Campers can play, laugh, and grow with other kids like them – even while in active treatment.
Together with families, Volunteers, and oncology medical professionals, Camp Ooch plays an integral role in a kids’ circle of care.
In 2018, over 1,600 kids and their families experienced “the social cure for cancer” at Camp Ooch.
The attitude that [Campers] develop coming out of Camp is an important part of their therapy and an important part of the healing process – it really helps them to fight their cancer better.
— Dr. Jim Whitlock, Hospital for Sick Children, Division Head Haematology/Oncology
Where your donations go
At Camp Ooch, every donation goes a long way.
77% of every dollar we receive goes directly into our programs – from helping us train the best Volunteers and purchasing supplies, to expanding our program offerings across the province. We’re also committed to making sure all our activities and facilities are safe and inclusive.
The remaining 23% goes toward organizational costs and fostering a community of educated, engaged, and committed donors. These costs are essential to help us reach our annual fundraising budget and stay accountable.
Ooch annual & financial reports
Let’s bring more Ooch to more kids!
Your donations will help us bring the healing power of fun, friendship and self-confidence to kids wherever they are in their cancer journey; from hospital beds and waiting rooms to campfires and overnight canoe trips.
Our programs change lives, but as of right now, only 21% of kids with cancer in Ontario can access an oncology camp.
We need your help so that the remaining 79% of families affected by childhood cancer get to experience the Magic of Ooch.
The cancer journey can be dark. Then there is Ooch; always a bright ray of sunshine. [When Oscar was in the hospital] Ooch gave him something to look forward to each day.
— Heather, Ooch parent
Read Oscar's storyOur 2019 roadmap
With your support, we strive to:
- Bring the Overnight Camp experience to more kids from distant cities and regions, or to families new to the concept of Camp
- Embed Ooch in Ontario health centres where kids with cancer get treatment
- Broaden our support to more parents and siblings, wrapping the whole family in an experience of caring and healing
Help us reach every Ontario kid affected by childhood cancer
Donate now2018 accomplishments
Thanks to your generous donations, 2018 was our biggest year yet! We helped more kids than ever and even expanded to a permanent Ooch space at the Children’s Hospital in London, Ontario.
We brought new Community programs to London, Hamilton, Sudbury, Ottawa and Toronto, serving almost 100 more families there than in 2017.
We also deepened our support for families dealing with loss. In total, we added 4 more PAL programs for kids in palliative care and 6 more Teomul programs for bereaved siblings.
One of 2018’s greatest accomplishments was the renovation and expansion of our Ooch Muskoka Overnight Camp. The site is now larger and more accessible than ever, allowing us to accommodate 50% more Campers! This past year was our largest yet at Ooch Muskoka with 843 kids able to experience the Magic of Overnight Camp year-round.
181
new Campers went to Ooch for the very first time
60%
more new Campers joined Ooch community programs across Ontario
302
Campers played games and made crafts during Weekends at Camp
64
new volunteers joined our largest volunteer cohort ever
32%
more families experienced Ooch programs in their home communities
1,634
individual patients were seen, totalling over 12,423 in-hospital experiences
My mum always says "the doctors freed me of cancer, but Ooch freed my soul,"
— Sam, Ooch Camper
Other ways to give
Become a monthly donor
Join our Campfire Circle to bring more Ooch to more kids. It's easy to join and your generosity will support Campers and their families all year-round.
Become a corporate partner
We'll work with you to create a meaningful partnership that supports your goals and helps kids with childhood cancer.
Stay in touch
Learn what’s happening at Ooch throughout the year with our Friends of Ooch newsletter.