Blackshear Rotary Club's recently heard from Campground Ministries, a faithbased organization created from the Tatum family's experience with childhood cancer and the loss of their son, Camp. The organization works to raise awareness, support childhood cancer research and walk alongside local families facing a diagnosis or the loss of a child. In September alone, Campground Ministries has provided financial support to local families and donated $10,000 to CURE Childhood Cancer, while continuingto support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and research focused on rare childhood cancers. The organization has also helped fund research specifically related to relapsed ATRT, the rare brain tumor that affected both Camp and another local child, Amris Bedford. Only about 75 children in the United States are diagnosed with ATRT each year, Tatum reported. But the mission extends beyond research and financial assistance. From helping children learn about childhood cancer through painted “Camp Rocks” to supporting grieving parents and siblings, the organization strives to make sure families know they do not have to walk through childhood cancer alone. Tatum also highlighted something especially meaningful about the local area: the way this community shows up. “Being in a place like St. Jude really opens your eyes to realize that not everybody has what we have. It’s not that my family is special—it’s the community that’s special,” she said. Seen above Tatum (center) is pictured with Rotarians Angel Knowlton (left) and Dr. Brent Waters (right).
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