Hopecam

The sun was out for the 13th Annual Hopecam 5K on Sunday.  A record 284 runners participated raising a record $35,000 to connect homebound and hospitalized children with their schools and friends.  Reston runner Kevin Bell set a new course record of 18:46.  Our Honoree was Alex Eissenstat, a kindergarten student at Mt. Vernon Community School who was diagnosed with leukemia in February.  Check out the fun photos of the event on http://mariephoto.smugmug.com/Sports/Hopecam-5K-2013

Three volunteers gathered at Hopecam offices to set up 5 iPads for delivery. Thank you Maggie, Zach and Jack pictured here with Zach’s Dad and one of Hopecam’s new Program Coordinators Kathy Montgomery.  Hopecam works to make sure that everything is as easy as possible for every family.  The volunteers set up individual e-mail and Skype accounts so the children can connect to their schools and friends immediately upon receiving their computers.  While the homebound and hospitalized children are waiting for their computers, program coordinators like Kathy work with the schools to arrange the connection, answering questions, providing letters to secure parental approval for classmates, and making sure the schools have the needed equipment to connect.  If necessary, Hopecam provides the schools with hardware—all free of charge.

Hopecam received these words of praise from a school guidance counselor:

We were able to connect with Matias before Spring Break. It was a positive experience for everyone. The students were very excited.  I told Matias that the IPad will allow him to connect with us whether he is home or in the hospital. 

Matias enjoyed the session. Thanks to Hopecam!!

Help us connect more children by registering for the Hopecam 5K on May 5th.

Dulce means sweet in Spanish and Romanian. There was nothing sweeter than connecting 12-year-old Dulce with her classmates yesterday.  Dulce is in the 6th grade and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February.

On Sunday May 5, hundreds of runners and walkers will participate in the 13^th Annual Hopecam 5K in Reston, VA.   More than 3,000 participants have raised more than $200,000 for Hopecam through this signature event.  The smooth/flat course is professionally timed for competitive runners and family friendly with special rates for children under 12.  Register today!  Fees go up on April 15^th.  Sponsorships are still available.  Contact Susan Koehler (703) 620-2555 for information.

Happy Valentines Day & Welcome to Hopecam Haley!

Meet Haley, our newest Hopecam participant. I was lucky enough to meet this young lady the other day to give her her iPad mini. Despite being tired she was all smiles. Haley was able to connect with her teacher and guidance counselor during my visit and got to connect with her class for some of the fun Valentines Day festivities today. A big thank you to Haley’s family and school for making this an easy process for all involved. We really hope Haley and her classmates benefit greatly from their special Hopecam connection.

Just one year ago, Aracely was celebrating her Quinceañera.  Today, she is undergoing treatment for Osteosarcoma.  She was so thrilled her eyes filled with tears when I gave her her Hopecam iPad so she can connect with her friends at school.  Tomorrow she heads back to Inova Children’s Hospital for another round of chemo.   I shared with Aracely and her mother the story of Len’s  Race Across America during which so many people donated to Hopecam.  “I’m glad,” her mom told me, “that there are so many nice people.”

Welcome to Hopecam Noah!!

I had a wonderful time meeting Noah. He is very excited to reconnect with his classmates and teacher. He was very eager upon delievery of the iPad to add educational games to it. He is a bright young boy and we are happy to help ease some of the isolation that he might feel while homebound.

Diagnosed with end-stage Renal Disease, Dani has had a Hopecam Connection to his school and friends since 2011.  Today is Dani’s 8^th Birthday.

Since he was scheduled for treatment on his birthday, his teachers and classmates were eager to share it with him yesterday.  Unfortunately, the school was having trouble with their connection.  They called Hopecam for help knowing that Hopecam provides more than hardware to connect the children; we provide whatever support is necessary to make the connection happen.   A few phone calls back and forth and Dani was connected to his school.

Happy Birthday Dani from your friends at Hopecam.