Power of One Wellness Challenge Helps Send Kids With Cancer to Camp

Chicago, Ill. (August 23, 2023) -- Camp One Step, www.camponestep.org, by Children's Oncology Services, a non-profit organization, believes that cancer should not prevent a child from enjoying the simple joys of childhood.

With 11 year-round, in person and 4 virtual camps each year, Camp One Step has sent kids with cancer, siblings and their families to camp for free for 45 years through the generous donations of individuals and corporations.

One of the ways to contribute is through the Power of ONE Wellness Challenge, a corporate team building community challenge to promote health and wellness while building teamwork among like-minded coworkers who want to get fit while supporting Camp One Step.

“It’s simple and the fundraising makes such a difference in the lives of kids with cancer by providing the necessary funds to send them to camp for free,” said Jill Kulbok Carlson, Director of Philanthropy at Camp One Step.

Camp One Step provides all the necessary tools to make the process of signing up and team implementation very easy. Using a Charity Footprints app, participants record physical activity as well as fundraising stats, set their own fitness goals whether it's 13, 26, 50, or 100+ miles of walking or running for the month of September and then set their own fundraising goals.

“The Power of ONE Challenge is about being part of a T.E.A.M which stand for teamwork, empowerment, achievement and motivation,” Carlson said. “It provides an opportunity for companies and their employees to come together as a community through wellness activities, while raising awareness and funds to support our campers throughout September which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.”

The Power of One Wellness Challenge started in 2019 and has raised approximately $135K to date. The core foundation of the Power of ONE is centered around the wellness of the individual that is participating in the challenge, and the wellness of children diagnosed with cancer by helping to send them to camp! The link for the September challenge is here.

C.A. Fortune, just held their own Power of One in July with more than 100 participants who completed 9,405 miles, and contributed $6,435. C.A. Fortune is a full-service, privately held consumer brands agency with a national scope that works across all channels and categories.

The following companies have made Power of ONE Early Bird Commitments:

· Shawn Bolger Law, real estate attorney in Oak Brook, Ill.

· Maranon Capital – Chicago provides senior financing, mezzanine debt and equity co-investments for both private equity-backed as well as entrepreneur-owned middle market transactions.

· VP Logistics – Chicago, founded in 2007, now a Top 200 3PL (third-party-logistics) transportation provider servicing middle-market, as well as Fortune 500 companies.

“Fundraising efforts like Power of ONE let Camp One Step help foster joy, belonging, confidence, and life-long friendships for children with cancer,” Carlson said. “When kids are diagnosed with cancer, childhood can be swept away by appointments, treatments, and hospital visits for the child diagnosed and for their brothers and sisters. We are dedicated to giving childhood back by providing free programs for children diagnosed with cancer and their families so they can enjoy fishing, arts and crafts, and games that promote inclusion.”

Camp One Step by Children’s Oncology Services is a 501©(3) leader in providing empowering, supportive, educational and fun experiences for children (ages birth -19) who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. We are the only local organization to offer 10 free in-person camps, as well as our CONNECTED digital programs, throughout the year serving pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Thanks to over 400 annual volunteers, including medical professionals, children who are in different stages of treatment have the ability to attend our Camp One Step camps and digital programs. In more than 44 years, our organization has served more than 19,500 campers