Camp Mak-A-Dream Is Dream Come True For Young Cancer Patients Looking For Fun

Children with cancer frequently miss out on many fun aspects of childhood, such as school, friends, sports - and summer camp.

Camp Mak-A-Dream in Missoula, will offer children with cancer a time to make friends, swim, create arts and crafts, ride horses, hike, play sports, canoe, sing campfire songs and - most importantly - find much-needed peace of mind, camp officials said.

The application process involves the camp’s medical staff working closely with the child’s oncologist and parents to assure the children are never at risk, the spokesman said.

Camp Mak-A-Dream provides a breath-taking view of the Pintlar Mountains and the Clark Fork River Valley. Its facilities include an 11,000 square-foot lodge, several cabins, fully-equipped and staffed infirmary and a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool,

Because some site areas are still under construction, there will only be one session this summer, July 22-28. Applications are now being accepted.

Camp Mak-A-Dream, funded by corporate and personal donations, is free to all children with cancer.

A year from now, organizers hope to have the facility operating year-round.

For more information, call (406) 549-5987.

Infertility study

Participants are needed for a study on male factor infertility, said Joanna Ellington, assistant professor of veterinary and comparative anatomy, pharmacology and physiology at the Spokane campus of Washington State University.

Area couples experiencing a year of infertility are invited to participate in the study. For more information, call Ellington at 358-7637.

Prepared childbirth class

Holy Family Hospital is sponsoring a Prepared Childbirth class at its Health and Education Center from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5. Cost is $45 per couple. To pre-register, call 482-2477.

Blood pressure checks

The American Red Cross will offer free blood pressure screenings this week at the following Spokane sites:

Safeway, 1616 W. Northwest Blvd, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon.

Adventist Health Network, 15 E. North Foothills, Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jones Low-Price Pharmacy, 906 S. Monroe, Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rosauer’s Pharmacy, Third and Oak, Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rosauer’s Pharmacy, 10920 E. Sprague, Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.