COOL KIDS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION INC

Established in 2006, Cool Kids Campaign Foundation is a non-profit registered in North Carolina whose mission is devoted to improving the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their families. We focus on the academic, social and emotional needs brought on by a cancer diagnosis.

The first program we created in the Lake Norman region was our care condo for families to use while their child is receiving medical treatment in Charlotte. At our Cool Kids Clubhouse, named in honor of Dan Jansen, Olympic gold medalist speed skater, we host a variety of programs that directly benefit the child with cancer, their siblings and the parents. These programs include, but are not limited to movie nights, tutoring sessions, smile celebrations when a child celebrates a birthday or a treatment milestone, vacation condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and cancer lesson plans for teachers. All programs and services are provided at no cost to the families.

We currently have a successful clubhouse model in Baltimore, Maryland where we operate our national programming which includes sending care packages for families of newly diagnosed patients nationwide. Care packages are offered to children with cancer in any state and offers custom packed boxes of fun to brighten the day of our new Cool Kids and their siblings. Additionally, the packages include our trademarked “Cancer Fears Me” merchandise: a blanket and chemo cap as well as our book, You Are Not Alone, compiled of stories and testimonials written by and for Cool Kids families. Other national programming includes: Cool Kids Connection a one-of-a-kind newspaper published quarterly and mailed free of charge to pediatric children's hospitals nationwide. The Connection's goal is to provide the thousands of pediatric oncology patients with a newspaper they can relate to, stuffed with stories and photos of other kids and families in the same predicament.

Our staff and volunteers work closely with the Child Life teams from the area’s children’s hospitals and visit monthly to provide lunch and craft activities during clinic hours. “We are excited for the opportunity to serve families in the greater Lake Norman and Charlotte area. We hope that our clubhouse becomes the place where kids with cancer can truly be themselves” said, Melissa Scott, Managing Director.

“We genuinely appreciate the warm welcome we have received from the community at large. The outpouring of support from local businesses, schools and neighbors has been truly humbling” said Kylie Fargo, Community Relations Coordinator.