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 & Camp Trillium is a privately funded, Ontario-based nonprofit whose goal is to help kids affected by childhood cancer be kids again, and help families connect with a community of strength and support when they need it the most. Every year, we recruit nearly 900 camp volunteers and 100 medical staff and volunteers to spread the healing magic of camp.
Our in-hospital, community, overnight, and virtual camp programs are designed to help kids and their families at any stage of a child’s cancer journey. We also have palliative programs, and our Teomul program is designed specifically for bereaved siblings.
All Ooch-Trillium 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
While at camp, Campers can reconnect with family or play, laugh, and grow with other kids like them—even while on active treatment.
Unique facilities combined with committed volunteers and oncology medical professionals, means that Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium plays an integral role in a kid’s circle of care.
In 2019, over 1,900 kids and their families experienced “the social cure for cancer” at Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium.
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 & Camp Trillium, every donation goes a long way.
75% 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 25% goes toward organizational costs and fostering a community of engaged and committed donors. These costs are essential to help us reach our annual fundraising budget and remain accountable.
Ooch & Trillium annual & financial reports
Let’s bring more Ooch & Trillium to more kids!
Your donations will help us bring the healing power of fun, friendship, and self-confidence to kids and families 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, and their families, have access to an oncology camp.
We need your help so that the remaining 79% of families affected by childhood cancer get to experience the magic of camp.
The cancer journey can be dark. And then there is camp—always a bright ray of sunshine. When Oscar was in the hospital, camp gave him something to look forward to each day.
— Heather, grateful parent
Read Oscar's storyOur 2020 roadmap
With your support, we strive to:
- Bring virtual summer camp experiences to more kids from all across Ontario, to families new to the concept of Camp, or new to the paediatric cancer journey
- Establish virtual camp-inspired programs in paediatric oncology centres across Ontario
- Broaden our virtual support to more parents and siblings, providing the whole family with an experience of caring and healing
Help us reach every Ontario kid affected by childhood cancer
Donate now2019 accomplishments
Thanks to your generous donations, 2019 was our biggest year yet! We helped more kids than ever and even expanded to a permanent space at the Children’s Hospital in London, Ontario.
We brought new community programs to London, Hamilton, Sudbury, Ottawa, and Toronto, serving more families there than in 2018.
We also deepened our support for families dealing with loss. In total, we added PAL programs for kids in palliative care in Ottawa, and more Teomul programs for bereaved siblings.
One of 2019’s greatest accomplishments was testing the full capacity of the recently expanded Ooch Muskoka overnight camp by accommodating 148 Campers during summer session 2. The board also committed to making its outdoor amenities, pathways and activity areas fully accessible to better support our Campers and community. And we expect these Path to Play outdoor renovations to be completed in 2020.
181
new Campers went to camp for the very first time
60%
more new Campers joined 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 programs in their home communities
1,634
individual patients were seen, totaling over 12,423 in-hospital experiences
“My mum always says that the doctors saved my life, but camp saved my soul."
— Sam, Camper
Other ways to give
Become a monthly donor
Join our Campfire Circle to bring more camp to more kids. It's easy to join and your generosity will support Campers and 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 camp throughout the year with our Friends of Camp newsletter.