March 2008 - Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Host Kids 'n' Cancer Ministry Fundraiser
METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO PHILOPTOCHOS HOSTS
KIDS ‘n' CANCER MINISTRY FUNDRAISER
On Sunday, May 4, 2008, the Metropolis of San Francisco Ladies Philoptochos Society hosted its annual Kids ‘n' Cancer Camp Agape garden reception at the elegant home of Dr. Anthony and Sophie Mastor of Bel-Air, California. The Kids ‘n' Cancer Ministry provides summer camp experiences for children with cancer or other life-threatening diseases and their entire families. Camp Agape gives these courageous children opportunities for fun, learning, and building self-esteem and confidence, in a safe environment, away from hospitals and doctors' offices. Hundreds of families, regardless of ethnic background, have participated in the Camp Agape experience.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of the San Francisco Metropolis was present at the Kids ‘n' Cancer reception to provide his spiritual blessings and accepted generous donations from Metropolis Philoptochos Chapters and individuals that reached $250,000. Through the commitment of Metropolis Philoptochos President Valerie Roumeliotes, event Chairperson Jeannie Ranglas, and their Committee, it was a beautiful and memorable event.
Five hundred guests were emotionally moved as they listened to a family whose young daughter is bravely fighting leukemia, and whose lives were touched by a "life-changing" weekend at Camp Agape. What awaited them at Camp Agape was far more than they could have imagined. The pain this family experienced each day was left behind, and in its place this mother and father again experienced the joy of watching their young daughter running and playing with her sister, and experiencing childhood delights in every Camp activity. Even taking her evening chemotherapy was done without protest, in anticipation of the excitement the next day at Camp Agape would bring. Although this family attended Camp Agape nearly a year ago, they continue to carry in their hearts the love and support they received at Camp Agape.
The Kids ‘n' Cancer Camp Agape Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of the Metropolis of San Francisco began in 1990 at the St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, California and has grown from a single camp to include five camps in San Diego and Central California, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington and Lakeside, Arizona. For additional information regarding this important Ministry, please visit the website at http://www.kidsncancer.org/ or call 415.431.2600.