2008 Woodie Awards
Program offers support to children of cancer patients
Meghann McCluskey
Issue date: 10/5/04 Section: News
Crescentia True's diagnosis was grave. The cancer in her left breast was advanced, doctors told her, and would require major surgery. After the initial shock, True thought of Emma and Eryn, her two daughters who were only eight and 10 at the time. She needed a plan to help them cope with the traumatic situation.
"They didn't want to talk much about it," True said. "I imagined they had fear in their hearts and heads every day that something terrible was going to happen."
Eager to ease the burden Emma and Eryn carried, True developed On Belay, an experiential learning program designed with optimism in mind. The concept was innovative: instead of lamenting the cancer prognosis of a loved one, children who participated in On Belay would set personal challenges, build skills and discover a sense of kinship with kids in similar situations.
That was in 2001. Today, three years a survivor, True is now more committed than ever to reaching out to children whose lives are troubled by cancer. Saturday marked the second successful On Belay event at UNH's Browne Center. Aided by student volunteers from Mills Hall, True provided 11 children with an entire day of learning, laughter and most importantly, a lighthearted escape from cancer's dismal presence.
"This day is just about the kids," True said on the eve of the event. "If the most they get out of On Belay is a really fun day, then I will feel satisfied."
Saturday dawned cloudy and cold. At the Browne Center, young On Belay participants and Mills Hall volunteers stood shoulder-length apart in a large circle. Enthusiastic even at nine in the morning, Crescentia True was already implementing her optimism-is-best policy.
"I want you to do me a favor," she told the quiet crowd. "We all have cancer in our lives, you know, the big C word. Today, I want you to take that cancer off your back and fling it into the air."
With a collective sweep of their arms, young On Belay participants abandoned the heavy weight of cancer for the day.
"They didn't want to talk much about it," True said. "I imagined they had fear in their hearts and heads every day that something terrible was going to happen."
Eager to ease the burden Emma and Eryn carried, True developed On Belay, an experiential learning program designed with optimism in mind. The concept was innovative: instead of lamenting the cancer prognosis of a loved one, children who participated in On Belay would set personal challenges, build skills and discover a sense of kinship with kids in similar situations.
That was in 2001. Today, three years a survivor, True is now more committed than ever to reaching out to children whose lives are troubled by cancer. Saturday marked the second successful On Belay event at UNH's Browne Center. Aided by student volunteers from Mills Hall, True provided 11 children with an entire day of learning, laughter and most importantly, a lighthearted escape from cancer's dismal presence.
"This day is just about the kids," True said on the eve of the event. "If the most they get out of On Belay is a really fun day, then I will feel satisfied."
Saturday dawned cloudy and cold. At the Browne Center, young On Belay participants and Mills Hall volunteers stood shoulder-length apart in a large circle. Enthusiastic even at nine in the morning, Crescentia True was already implementing her optimism-is-best policy.
"I want you to do me a favor," she told the quiet crowd. "We all have cancer in our lives, you know, the big C word. Today, I want you to take that cancer off your back and fling it into the air."
With a collective sweep of their arms, young On Belay participants abandoned the heavy weight of cancer for the day.
