[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAMP RAINBOW GOLD

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a program in my 
home State of Idaho that provides an outstanding service to many who 
are greatly challenged in a battle for life. Twenty-five years ago this 
summer, Dr. David McClusky planted the seeds of a dream he had nurtured 
for many years: opening a camp for kids with cancer in the mountains of 
Idaho.
  Armed with a grant, a group of committed volunteers and the support 
of the American Cancer Society, 15 campers with cancer kicked off the 
first of 25 years of very special summers. This new retreat was called 
Camp Rainbow Gold.
  The camp provided an opportunity for these kids to swim, ride horses, 
fish, hike, paint, bike, eat and laugh. They developed deep bonds with 
one another as they fought a disease that knows no bounds in the lives 
it ravages. This one week allowed them an opportunity to escape from 
the daily emotional and physical battle with an insidious disease.
  Today, Camp Rainbow Gold continues to provide that week-long respite 
from the ever-present cancer fight and allows these kids to enjoy a 
beautiful setting with others just like them.
  This very week 85 children are in the mountains of Idaho at Camp 
Rainbow Gold. With an army of volunteers, Dr. McClusky is watching his 
dream flourish. The kids still attend free of charge. A full medical 
staff and a licensed social worker volunteer their time to provide 
medical and emotional support to the children.
  As the camp grew, so did the vision to meet not only the needs of the 
kids with cancer, but their siblings and parents as well. Dr. 
McClusky's original vision has grown into two more camps: one for 
siblings and one for families. These camps provide a much-needed break 
from the demands of the intensive care required for a child with 
cancer.
  Throughout the year, special outings are held to strengthen the bonds 
of friendships developed at camp and to continue the emotional support 
among families. In addition, a junior counselor program has been 
created to allow former campers who have turned 18 to continue their 
participation at Camp Rainbow Gold. They now offer their support and 
encouragement to kids who are in the same fight they, too, have fought. 
Campers and junior counselors are also eligible for college 
scholarships to help them fulfill their dreams.
  It is, indeed, an honor for me to give recognition to Dr. David 
McClusky for his vision and many years of work in creating and 
sustaining Camp Rainbow Gold. I extend this recognition to the more 
than 200 volunteers from around Idaho who support the Camp Rainbow Gold 
programs; to the American Cancer Society for their backing and 
administrative support; and to the thousands of Idahoans and many 
others who provide the funds to make all of this a reality.
  Congratulations, Camp Rainbow Gold, on this 25th anniversary.

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