By Chelsea Meyer
B103 Rockford
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The diagnosis of cancer is life-altering, especially for children who should be experiencing all of the joys of childhood.
In 2006, at just 9 years old, Ryan Sartori of 95.3 The Bull was diagnosed with leukemia. For the next two-and-a-half years, he and his family spent countless days and hours at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago while he received treatment that would eventually save his life. After five years in remission, Sartori was declared cancer free in 2013.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the end his successful battle with cancer, and to celebrate he wants to give back to an organization that helped him through his entire battle.
“Camp One Step is important to me because of everything they’ve helped me and my family through,” Sartori said. “You go through some dark times with treatment and camp is the bit of light you need to keep going. I’ve met lifelong friends and experienced life-changing opportunities because of Camp, and this is just my small way of giving back on a day that I may not have reached without their existence.”
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Camp One Step is an organization that runs programs for kids who are battling cancer and their families. Camp is a place for kids to be kids without worrying about the outside stressors that are affecting their lives. For Sartori, this is where he met lifelong friends and a support system that would help him face all of the difficulties associated with fighting cancer.
It costs about $1,000 to send one kid to camp and ensure they don’t have to battle cancer alone. But the best part about camp is that it comes at no cost to camper families.
This organization also provides the opportunity for children to come together, form lasting friendships and build memories that will carry them through their cancer journey.
During 95.3 The Bull’s show, Sartori raised more than $1,300 for Camp One Step, but he’s not stopping there.
He will continue to raise funds for kids battling cancer through Friday, July 14.
Donate to his cause, HERE.
This article is by Chelsea Meyer. You can email her at chelsea@b103fm.com.