Causes: Cancer, Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services, Health, Health (General & Financing)
Mission: The mission of UKANDU is to bring hope, joy, and connection to communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. We recognize that cancer impacts the entire family and we aim to provide parents and caregivers a respite from the physical, emotional, and financial toll childhood cancer poses to families.
Target demographics: communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer
Geographic areas served: Portland, Oregon
Programs: UKANDU Virtual Camp- Born out of hardship and necessity, our newest program, UKANDU Virtual Camp, was initially offered as a substitute for Camp UKANDU in the summer of 2020.As that wild experiment proved to be a smashing success, we realized this is an offering we can make every year. Unfortunately, there are children of all ages who are too sick to make it to one of our programs in any given year. And as we learned in 2020, there are families across the country who would love to experience the ‘hope and joy’ that UKANDU provides. So we are committed to offering virtual programming on an ongoing basis for our community. . . . UKANDU Teen Retreat- Starting in the 90s, The Teen Retreat was originally offered as a program within a program during Camp UKANDU, and was offered as a way to recognize the unique needs of adolescents impacted by cancer. Our teen campers have acted as role models to our younger campers from the beginning, and the Teen Retreat became a way for us to share our appreciation for their contribution to Camp UKANDU. . . . Camp UKANDU- The ‘flagship’ offering from UKANDU, “Camp UKANDU” has been providing a week of ‘outrageous fun’ to children ages 8-18 since 1986.When a family learns that one of their children is diagnosed with cancer, the last thing most of them want to do is send that child away from the family for a week. Time becomes more precious than it has ever been known. Parents are understandably covetous of the time and a future that is too often cut short. . . . UKANDU Family Camp- UKANDU Family Camp was another logical program extension of the ‘hope and joy’ that Camp UKANDU has delivered for more than three decades. Our Executive Director and Program Director grew tired of the heartbreaking requests from parents asking if their six year old could ‘please just come to camp. ’ Knowing that too many children will die before making it to Camp UKANDU meant that we needed to do more. Over years of interacting with the parents of our campers, we realized parents are just big kids too!UKANDU Corps- UKANDU Corps was conceived by our Executive Director and inspired by his own experience in volunteering at UKANDU. It is in our DNA – heck, it’s in our name! – to remind people that “You Can Do!” a lot in life, no matter your challenges. While Camp UKANDU and other UKANDU programs facilitate this growth and learning in critical ways, UKANDU Corps aims to draw on the powerful experience and self-confidence that comes by serving others. When we see our efforts have a positive impact on someone else’s life and on the world around us, pride and self-worth flourish. UKANDU Family Reunion- Started in 2018, the UKANDU Family Reunion is for anyone who has attended, or whose family members attended any of the UKANDU programming over our 36 years. Like any family reunion, and with hundreds of campers and volunteers each year, this affair can be a raucous affair. But like all UKANDU fun, this fun is responsible and deserving of our proud UKANDU name.
Mission: The mission of UKANDU is to bring hope, joy, and connection to communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer. We recognize that cancer impacts the entire family and we aim to provide parents and caregivers a respite from the physical, emotional, and financial toll childhood cancer poses to families.
Target demographics: communities impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer
Geographic areas served: Portland, Oregon
Programs: UKANDU Virtual Camp- Born out of hardship and necessity, our newest program, UKANDU Virtual Camp, was initially offered as a substitute for Camp UKANDU in the summer of 2020.As that wild experiment proved to be a smashing success, we realized this is an offering we can make every year. Unfortunately, there are children of all ages who are too sick to make it to one of our programs in any given year. And as we learned in 2020, there are families across the country who would love to experience the ‘hope and joy’ that UKANDU provides. So we are committed to offering virtual programming on an ongoing basis for our community. . . . UKANDU Teen Retreat- Starting in the 90s, The Teen Retreat was originally offered as a program within a program during Camp UKANDU, and was offered as a way to recognize the unique needs of adolescents impacted by cancer. Our teen campers have acted as role models to our younger campers from the beginning, and the Teen Retreat became a way for us to share our appreciation for their contribution to Camp UKANDU. . . . Camp UKANDU- The ‘flagship’ offering from UKANDU, “Camp UKANDU” has been providing a week of ‘outrageous fun’ to children ages 8-18 since 1986.When a family learns that one of their children is diagnosed with cancer, the last thing most of them want to do is send that child away from the family for a week. Time becomes more precious than it has ever been known. Parents are understandably covetous of the time and a future that is too often cut short. . . . UKANDU Family Camp- UKANDU Family Camp was another logical program extension of the ‘hope and joy’ that Camp UKANDU has delivered for more than three decades. Our Executive Director and Program Director grew tired of the heartbreaking requests from parents asking if their six year old could ‘please just come to camp. ’ Knowing that too many children will die before making it to Camp UKANDU meant that we needed to do more. Over years of interacting with the parents of our campers, we realized parents are just big kids too!UKANDU Corps- UKANDU Corps was conceived by our Executive Director and inspired by his own experience in volunteering at UKANDU. It is in our DNA – heck, it’s in our name! – to remind people that “You Can Do!” a lot in life, no matter your challenges. While Camp UKANDU and other UKANDU programs facilitate this growth and learning in critical ways, UKANDU Corps aims to draw on the powerful experience and self-confidence that comes by serving others. When we see our efforts have a positive impact on someone else’s life and on the world around us, pride and self-worth flourish. UKANDU Family Reunion- Started in 2018, the UKANDU Family Reunion is for anyone who has attended, or whose family members attended any of the UKANDU programming over our 36 years. Like any family reunion, and with hundreds of campers and volunteers each year, this affair can be a raucous affair. But like all UKANDU fun, this fun is responsible and deserving of our proud UKANDU name.
Cancer
Portland
