Young Cancer Patient to Enjoy Personalized Summer Camp

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Jun 28, 2017, 17:29 ET

SPARTANBURG, S.C., June 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than any other activity 15-year-old Tron Foster loves fishing. As a young cancer patient this affinity has grown over the last six years in part through his annual participation in Camp Victory, sponsored by The Children's Security Blanket (CSB), a Spartanburg, SC based nonprofit providing support for children battling cancer. This year, Tron will have to miss camp as the bone cancer he has battled since he was six has now totally claimed his leg, which will be amputated in Charleston in August. However, CSB, a group that is experienced at helping fight battles, is making sure Tron gets his chance to fish. The organization has planned to surprise Tron and his younger sister, Kendall, with a special camp just for them this Thursday and Friday, June 29-30, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tron Foster, who has struggled with bone cancer since he was six, and Tom Russell have formed a special relationship through Camp Victory, an annual summer camp sponsored by The Children's Security Blanket (CSB), a Spartanburg, SC based nonprofit providing support for children battling cancer co-founded by Russell. Tron will miss camp this July due to surgery scheduled to amputate his leg so Russell and CSB are holding a special camp just for him complete with his favorite pastime - fishing!

Hosting the camp on CSB's behalf will be Tom Russell, 80, a co-founder of the organization and a leader for Camp Victory since it began 10 years ago. Russell, affectionately known as "Coach" by most due to years of coaching community and church ball teams, will personally take Tron fishing and lead him through camp activities that his peers will enjoy in mid July. Camp Victory, a three-day camp designed to allow children struggling with cancer to "just be kids" for awhile, is held at Optimist Acres, located at 590 Foster Mill Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302.

"When Tom learned that Tron's surgery would keep him from experiencing camp this year he immediately came up with the idea of holding a special camp just for Tron and his sister. That's the kind of person Tom is - he just loves the children we serve," said Laura Allen, CSB Executive Director. Wofford College recently awarded Russell the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award, recognizing excellence of character and humanitarian service.

"Camp Victory is CSB's way to help ensure that the precious children we serve, like Tron, have the chance to just enjoy a fun summer camp experience and leave behind medical treatments, needle sticks and hospital visits for a time," explained Allen. "We have had the privilege of serving Tron and his family since 2009, providing connections to resources, assisting with travel and lodging expenses related to cancer treatments and providing support and encouragement during very difficult times. Tron is an incredible young man with a big heart who has shared with us that he plans to give back by organizing a fishing tournament to benefit CSB."

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, CSB's Camp Victory has provided children who really need a dose of joy the chance to participate in activities such as fishing, riding horses, nature study and enjoying hands-on crafts and games. Camp Victory offers CSB families the opportunity to make memories while uniting with others who share their challenges.

Beginning as a project of the Optimist Club in 1999, and becoming a nonprofit in 2006, The Children's Security Blanket has served hundreds of families across SC and NC affected by childhood cancer. The organization provides support for struggling families including making travel arrangements to healthcare facilities and funds for transportation, lodging, and meals while the children receive critical medical treatments.

www.childrenssecurityblanket.org
864-582-0673

SOURCE The Children's Security Blanket