Spotlight On

Mission:
Special Love provides quality programs and a community of support to children with cancer and their families.

Background:
Special Love was founded in 1983 by a Northern Virginia couple who lost their daughter to lymphoma and has since grown from a one-week adventure called Camp Fantastic to a year-round schedule of programs that give cancer patients 25 years old and younger and their families the chance to enjoy camping activities and a respite from their illness. Financial support in the form of scholarships and emergency funding are also provided to active camp families.

Current Programs:
Special Love hosts two week-long camps, including one for cancer siblings, ten weekend camps, and several day-long programs, and it also refers patients and families to other area services and events. Special Love's camp events include traditional camp activities like campfires, canoeing, hiking, and crafts, as well as speakers and other special entertainment. Thanks to medical staffing coordinated by the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, even patients with high accuity and special needs can be accommodated. Parent discussion groups are offered at family events and most staffing is provided by volunteers.

Funding Needs:
Special Love participates in several local fundraising events, including the NIH Film Festival and other special events listed on its Web site. Funding needs include camp sponsorships, scholarships for young adults with cancer, and emergency financial aid for camp families.

The "Spotlight On" highlights the activities of a different 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the Metropolitan Washington, DC community. The selection of organizations for the "Spotlight On" is based on criteria such as programmatic interests, geographic focus, and size, to ensure the broadest possible representation of the region's nonprofit sector.

If you'd like to see your NPO in the "Spotlight," e-mail a description of your organization, following the above format, to dclibrary@foundationcenter.org, with "Spotlight Submission" in the subject line.