Camp BlueBird

Camp Bluebird is a three-day, two-night camp for cancer patients and survivors ages 18 and older, sponsored by St. Dominic's Cancer Center. Camp is for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer whether under treatment, just finished treatment, or cancer free for years.

Camp Bluebird is a nationwide organization. There are currently three other camps in Mississippi located in Hattiesburg, Tupelo, and Ocean Springs. St. Dominic's is the first to sponsor a Camp Bluebird in the central Mississippi area. Two camps are offered each year, one in early summer and the second in fall.

The weekend offers a time for listening and learning. It is designed to help reduce the isolation felt by many cancer patients. It is a time for being with friends, and a time for caring and sharing. Activities are provided for the entire weekend and campers take time to share with one another. Campers can help each other through this difficult time.

Campers gain a better understanding of their non-medical needs and learn coping strategies from others that have made life-style adjustments through living with cancer. Camp Bluebird offers creative outlets through recreational activities, music, singing, dancing, games, and arts and crafts. Campers and volunteers alike receive a full dose of fellowship, fun and much, much more.

St. Dominic's Cancer Center is proud to sponsor this not-for-profit program to enrich the lives of cancer survivors. All meals, snacks and lodging are provided. Accommodations are dorm-like and Camp Bluebird can accept only a limited number of campers, so, if you are interested, apply early.

http://www.mscoastcampbluebird.org/

Taste of Oxford

One of Oxford’s most looked-forward-to annual events is back this Wednesday with piano wildman Jason D. Williams tearing up the keys—as guests enjoy food samplings from restaurants around town.

The annual St. Jude Taste of Oxford returns to the Library Bar & Grill in Oxford this Wednesday night, February 12. It’s one of St. Jude’s fastest growing events in the country in money raised, says Elizabeth Randall, one of Taste’s organizers. “We anticipate around 700 people in attendance and have about twice the sponsorship as last year,” Johnson says.

The event is hosted by CNBC market commentator Peter Costa. Richard Cross returns in his role as emcee.

“Our goal this year is to raise $175,000, and we are encouraged about where we are with sponsorship leading into the event,” Randall says. “Last year, we hit $150,000. It currently costs about $1.9 million a day to run St. Jude, and this increases about $100,000 per year. If we hit our goal, this event would run St. Jude for two hours, which would be an amazing accomplishment for a community of our size. Although St. Jude serves children from all over the world, it has treated children in Oxford as well, so we can all feel a little personal connection in that regard.”

The event presents a plethora of noshes from local eateries.

“The restaurants do an amazing job providing creative foods samplings,” Randall says. “Guests at the event will be able to purchase bottomless wine glasses painted by the patients at St Jude especially for this event. Our committee had the opportunity to tour St. Jude’s hospital and campus Friday, where we were able to learn much more about this fantastic institution and about Danny Thomas, the man who founded St. Jude at a time in his life when he had very little.”

http://hottytoddy.com/2014/02/10/st-jude-taste-of-oxford-brings-jason-d-williams-wednesday-night/

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