Camp Hawkins

This Summer i had the privilege to volunteer at a wonderful camp for children and siblings of kids with Congenital Heart Defects. Camp Hawkins. It was named after one of my heroes Dr. Hawkins. He is the surgeon who preformed all but one of Jaxsten's open heart surgeries. He passed away from Pancreatic Cancer a few weeks before camp. Seeing all those special kids enjoying camp (because of him) was such a great tribute to a great man.

It was so much fun watching these kids enjoying life. It was the highlight of my summer. They are all so special. It was fun meeting new friends and parents of kids with CHD. The volunteers were some of the neatest people. Jaxsten keeps talking about his buddies at Camp Hawkins.

One of the neatest things was watching Jaxsten and Trey. When Jax was born and awaiting his first surgery at PCMC. I met one of my dearest friends Robbie (Trey's mom). There was 4 HLHS kids all there at the same time. All of us moms grew so close that month. Robbie was one of the moms and we have stayed in touch. When the boys turned one we had a big birthday party together. Then we all went to the Zoo together. It had been a while since the boys had seen each other. It was amazing to me how they immediately acted like long lost buddies. It was fun seeing these two boys that were at one time fighting for their lives together, now enjoying each others friendship and comparing battle scars at Camp!!
I can not wait until we get to go back next year!!