Events support camp for kids with cancer

Life seems never more unfair than when a life-threatening disease strikes a child.

Today's Your Health cover story is about two brave young boys who already have faced the daunting challenges of fighting cancer. For me, it was sobering to think -- while watching these guys play like two active boys -- that they may not have survived if they had been born a decade ago.

They are the beneficiaries of modern science -- more specifically, cutting-edge clinical trials.

But for nearly three decades, Camp Happy Days has helped give a little childhood back to South Carolina children with cancer and their families by offering one free, wonderful week away from it all at

Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton.

So when Alix Tew, development director of Camp Happy Days, contacted me last week about the upcoming second annual Charleston Bed Race, I was ripe for the taking.

Granted, in looking back at last year's new events, I thought Camp Happy Days hit a grand slam with its inaugural bed race, which draws teams of five in a series of out-and-back sprints on decorated, wheeled beds. So the support already was there. I had fun just watching.

This year's event promises to be better.

Last year's was put together just months before it happened and, scheduled in the heat and humidity of early summer, only about 20 teams signed up and 17 actually raced in a classic Charleston steam bath. A heavy downpour just minutes before the event and then bright sun literally made it one of the hottest afternoons of last summer.

So it comes as no surprise that organizers scheduled this year's event for April 10 at Hampton Park.

Tew is confident that the event will grow to 50 teams this year and be on its way to becoming a new spring tradition in Charleston. Nearly 16 teams and several corporate sponsors have signed up, and she's hoping for more. The cost for a team of five to sign up is $125.

"Our goal is to raise $20,000 to get our Kids Kickin' Cancer to camp," says Tew, adding that the cost for each child to attend the camp is $1,000 and that they invite up to 160 kids.

Find out more at www.charlestonbedrace.com.

Another race

Meanwhile, on the same weekend, a race of another kind will be held on the beach on Sullivan's Island to raise money for Camp Happy Days.

The second annual Run for Adela, a race in memory of Adela Holmes Cook, who died at 18 in a golf cart accident, will be held April 9 starting at Station 16. The 5K also is seeking sponsors. Those interested may contact Dicksie Johnson at sidicksie@aol.com. See more at www.run4adela.com.

Reach David Quick at 937-5516.