Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation: Healing, Hope, and Support for Pediatric Cancer Survivors and Their Families
Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation (SWKCF) has been making a profound impact in the lives of pediatric cancer survivors and their families in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico for over 40 years. Through their flagship programs, Arizona Camp Sunrise and Camp Sidekicks, SWKCF offers a unique combination of recreational and therapeutic activities designed to promote physical, emotional, and psychological well-being among children with cancer and their siblings. From the kids’ standpoint, of course, the most important thing camp offers them is fun. Not to mention, a break from spending time in hospitals.
We recently had the pleasure of supporting SWKCF with a small grant, which we awarded in recognition of their tireless efforts to provide a safe and supportive environment for children to heal and thrive after a cancer diagnosis. In our subsequent Q & A with Ashley Larson, Board Vice Chair and Fundraising Committee Chair of SWKCF, we were struck by the organization’s dedication to providing comprehensive support to pediatric cancer families not only over the summer, but throughout the year. From their medically supervised summer camps to their outreach programs and advocacy efforts, SWKCF is truly making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by cancer.
We are excited to share Ashley’s insights into the organization’s work and learn more about their plans for growth and expansion in the coming years:
Kars4Kids: We last interviewed you in 2021, so it stands to reason that we start with what’s new at SWKCF. You have a new logo! What inspired the change? Great design, by the way.
Ashley Larson: We launched our new logo in an effort to represent the strength and hope of cancer survivors and their siblings by incorporating elements like a sunrise that is symbolic of healing and resilience. Previously, we had a logo for the foundation and a logo for the camp itself that was developed decades ago. We wanted one logo to represent the unity of both parts of what we offer to the families that utilize our programs and services. While we have the camp as our flagship program, we have also put a large effort into offering year round programs to continue supporting children and their families outside of the summer camp season. The blending of the two logos reflects the sunrise of resilience, the mountains of strength and both names for brand recognition!
Kars4Kids: Arizona Camp Sunrise is one of your two signature programs. The camp is for cancer “survivors and warriors.” It’s easy to understand the “warriors” part—kids battling cancer need a safe place where they can have fun and be with others like themselves. Their families no doubt benefit from the time off from caring for their sick child while camp is in session. But why do cancer survivors need a special camp? If they’ve survived cancer, why wouldn’t they go to just any regular summer camp?
Ashley Larson: Cancer survivors, even though they’ve beaten the illness, often carry emotional and psychological scars that aren’t as visible as physical ones. After facing something as intense and isolating as cancer treatment, they can feel disconnected from peers who haven’t gone through similar experiences. They might struggle with things like body image issues, anxiety, or a sense of not fully belonging.
A camp specifically for survivors offers them a unique environment where they can meet others who truly understand what they’ve been through. It’s a space where they can connect on a deeper level, share their stories, and feel supported without having to explain or justify their past. For some, the experience can also help them process any lingering emotions or fears, building their confidence and self-esteem as they continue to heal.
Moreover, cancer survivors can sometimes feel like their journey is overlooked once the treatment ends, but a dedicated camp honors their resilience and celebrates their victory. So, while a regular summer camp might be fun, a camp tailored for survivors offers them the chance to bond with people who truly get what they’ve experienced, making the experience much more meaningful and supportive.
Kars4Kids: Camp Sunrise is a sleepaway camp located at Whispering Hope Ranch. We’d love to hear about the ranch. Is it a working ranch? What’s it like? What are the amenities?
Ashley Larson: Located in the scenic, tranquil area of Payson, Arizona, the ranch is nestled on 45 acres of natural beauty. While it isn’t a traditional working ranch with agricultural operations, it does provide an environment that incorporates aspects of ranch life—most notably through its equine therapy programs, which are a cornerstone of the ranch’s healing and recreational offerings.
The ranch is fully equipped with amenities that support both therapeutic and recreational activities for children and youth with physical, mental, and sensory disabilities. All of the animals that live on the ranch have been rescued from situations where they could not be properly cared for and have full time care! The amenities onsite include being fully ADA accessible both indoors and outdoors, a pond for fishing, splashpad, campfire, dining hall, horseback riding, petting zoo, sports fields and more! Whispering Hope Ranch allows for children of all abilities to experience the joys and freedoms that summer camp has to offer!
Kars4Kids: Pediatric cancer can be not only emotionally draining for families, but a drain on finances as well. You’ve made Camp Sunrise tuition-free, which is a wonderful gift for the children and their families, but how are you able to provide this summer camp experience free of charge? How many children do you host each summer? What is the cost to SWKCF per child? Is there a waiting list?
Ashley Larson: We rely on a combination of fundraising, donations, grants, and partnerships with community organizations to cover the costs of such camps. They may host charity events, solicit corporate sponsorships, and work with local businesses to help subsidize the expenses. Individual donations from supporters of the cause can also play a big role in ensuring that no child is turned away due to financial constraints. Our foundation is run entirely by volunteers who donate their time and energy to help us procure funding and get our name out into the community. Each summer we host nearly 150 children over the two weeks of camp! The cost is about $1,500 per person, including the volunteers that we cover the cost of for taking a week off to help keep our campers safe and having fun! We have had a waiting list in the past, but do our very best to get everyone to camp! Registration is currently open for volunteers and campers, so if anyone in Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico is interested in coming to camp, we would love to have you!
Kars4Kids: When and why was SWKCF founded? Can you tell us something about your founder?
Ashley Larson: Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks was started in 1983 under the American Cancer Society. After decades of support, their funding was restructured, and the camp found itself without financial backing in 2013. At that time, a group of well meaning, long term volunteers banded together to form and file for the creation of our 501c3 status as the “Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation.” The Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation became the parent organization that has financially supported our Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks programs and has continued to do that for more than 10 years now!
Kars4Kids: SWKCF calls Camp Sunrise “life-changing” and “life-lifting.” How does Camp Sunrise change and lift lives for pediatric cancer survivors and warriors?
Ashley Larson: Camp Sunrise is life-changing and life-lifting because it provides pediatric cancer survivors and warriors with a supportive, joyful environment where they can connect with others who truly understand their experiences. It helps them rebuild confidence, create lasting friendships, and rediscover their sense of normalcy through fun, empowering activities. By celebrating their strength and resilience, Camp Sunrise fosters emotional healing, boosts self-esteem, and offers a space where children can simply be kids again, away from the challenges of cancer. It’s a transformative experience that restores hope and lifts spirits.
Kars4Kids: Arizona Camp Sidekicks is for siblings of pediatric cancer survivors. What challenges do siblings of cancer patients face?
Ashley Larson: Siblings of pediatric cancer patients often face emotional and psychological challenges, such as feelings of neglect, fear, or confusion. They may struggle with jealousy or guilt, feeling left out as their sibling receives most of the attention due to their illness. Siblings might also experience anxiety about their loved one’s health and future. Arizona Camp Sidekicks provides a supportive environment where these siblings can express their emotions, build confidence, and bond with others who understand their unique experience, helping them heal and cope with their own journey.
Kars4Kids: How would you describe the differences between your two summer camps—one for warriors and survivors, the other for siblings?
Ashley Larson: Arizona Camp Sunrise and Camp Sidekicks both offer unique and supportive experiences for children, but they serve different needs.
- Camp Sunrise is designed for pediatric cancer survivors and warriors. It provides a medically supervised environment where children who have battled cancer can connect with others who understand their journey. The focus is on helping these children rediscover joy, build confidence, and form lasting friendships in a supportive and safe setting.
- Camp Sidekicks, on the other hand, is for siblings of cancer patients. This camp allows siblings to have their own experience, independent of their sibling’s illness. It gives them the opportunity to bond with others who understand the challenges of having a brother or sister with cancer, while creating their own camp memories and focusing on their personal well-being.
Both camps offer life-changing experiences, but while Camp Sunrise focuses on the healing and growth of cancer survivors, Camp Sidekicks provides siblings with the space to process their unique challenges.
Kars4Kids: Do you have a medical facility and staff at Camp Sunrise? Can you give us an overview of how you are providing for campers’ medical needs?
Ashley Larson: Yes, Camp Sunrise and Sidekicks are both entirely medically supervised. Licensed medical professionals, including nurses, and doctors, are on-site to provide care, administer medications, and handle emergencies. The camp is equipped with a health center for minor injuries or illnesses, and personalized care plans are developed for each child in consultation with their primary doctors. Campers with ongoing medical needs, such as medication or post-treatment care, are supported throughout their stay. Open communication with families ensures any concerns are promptly addressed, allowing children to enjoy their camp experience safely. There is also a hospital located nearby, and a helipad on campus in case of severe emergencies. We have a Medical Director each week of camp that supervises all medical staff and accounts for the oversight of all camper medical care.
Kars4Kids: In terms of logistics, your day camp for younger children must be far simpler. Do they require any kind of special medical staff? Do younger pediatric cancer fighters and survivors have different needs than those of their relatively older counterparts?
Ashley Larson: For the day camp, while there is no medical staff on-site, children do need a doctor to sign off on their attendance to ensure they are fit to participate. Younger pediatric cancer fighters and survivors may have different needs, such as more frequent breaks or assistance with specific activities, based on their treatment or recovery. This ensures their safety and comfort while still allowing them to enjoy the camp experience. We have partnered with other local pediatric cancer based organizations to host day camps in order to reach a wider variety of families that can benefit from our programs and have seen great success in doing so!
Kars4Kids: What’s next for Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation?
Ashley Larson: After over 40 years of camp, there are still many ways we are looking to grow and expand our outreach! Childhood cancer rates are increasing year over year, meaning we have more families to continue to serve. The Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation is focused on expanding its programs and deepening its impact in the coming years in several ways:
- Expanding Camp Programs: SWKCF plans to continue to grow and enhance its Camp Sunrise and Camp Sidekicks programs and expand the number of children we can serve. This includes reaching more families and providing additional support for both cancer survivors and their siblings.
- Increasing Fundraising and Awareness: The foundation is working on expanding its fundraising efforts to ensure that it can offer more free services, especially as demand grows. In 2025 we are looking to host an inaugural pickleball tournament fundraiser and will soon start planning for the 14th annual Golf Fore Cancer Golf Tournament, our largest fundraiser of the year!
- Building Partnerships: SWKCF will continue to look to form additional partnerships with hospitals, medical centers, and other organizations in the pediatric cancer care space to provide more comprehensive services to pediatric cancer patients and families.
- Expanding Outreach and Services: Our goal is to broaden outreach, providing resources for community engagement for families throughout the year. This can be in the form of retreats, holiday parties, camping or hiking trips as well as other community events and services.
- Strengthening Advocacy: The foundation also has a focus on helping to increase efforts to raise awareness about pediatric cancer, its lasting effects, and ongoing support to fighters, survivors and their siblings.
Ultimately, SWKCF’s next steps will be centered on growth, collaboration, and ensuring its programs continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.