This past weekend, 29 Long Term Survivors and five volunteers and staff members joined for the annual Long Term Survivor Retreat. Since 1998, The Periwinkle Foundation has hosted a weekend retreat to accompany the year-long Long Term Survivor (LTS) program offered to adults 18 years and older who were treated at Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center. A majority of the weekend’s participants are former campers of Camp Periwinkle and Camp YOLO, and the LTS program offers an avenue for participants to continue to be a part of the Periwinkle community of healing.

During the weekend retreat, Long Term Survivors return as campers to enjoy new friendships and fellowship among classic camp activities like canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, arts and crafts and the ropes course. The weekend blends generations of survivors to not only join in fun camp activities, but also to connect in sharing stories and challenges associated with being a cancer survivor. One Long Term Survivor reflects, “LTS is my second family.  I find the retreat to be an amazing gathering and experience that gives me emotional support and confidence.”

The Long Term Survivor program operates year-round through monthly socials, educational opportunities and Periwinkle events for survivors to give back to the cancer community. This is one program campers never graduate from, they continue to celebrate year after year as a Long Term Survivor! To see more great memories of the LTS Retreat, visit the photo album here. If you are interested in learning more about the Long Term Survivor program, please contact Meredith Massey at mmassey@periwinklefoundation.org.

P.S. The LTS group had a great kickball practice at the retreat! Support the LTS Team during the Periwinkle Kickball Classic by donating here to continue Periwinkle’s camps, arts and survivor programs!