South Carolina Gamecocks

June 14, 2006

Team Gamecocks was given the incredible opportunity of visiting kids at Camp Kemo on Tues., June 12 at Camp Kinard. An annual summer event, South Carolina's Camp Kemo visits began six years ago as a way of supporting kids with cancer and their siblings. Team Gamecocks visited with the kids by singing, signing autographs and playing games.

In attendance were: Melanie Johnson (W-Basketball), Dominique Archie (M-Basketball), Mitchell Carter (M-Basketball), Dwayne Day (M-Basketball), David Chambers (M-Basketball), William Brown (Football), Jason Richardson (M-Track), Tyler Trout (M-Track), Precious Akins (W-Track), Amberly Nesbitt (W-Track), Michelle Schmitt (Assistant Athletic Director), and Champs-Life Skills Coordinator Collin Crick.

Campers were invited to interact with Team Gamecocks and took a particular liking to the NCAA's "Fastest Woman" - Amberly Nesbitt. Nesbitt's message of always believing in yourself was an inspiration to all. In addition to brief athlete introductions, Team Gamecocks participated in arts and crafts and an amusing sing-along. The children were especially in how tall each athletes was, with Carter checking in at seven feet and Nesbitt being 5'0.

"Camp Kemo was a great experience. Going into it I didn't know what to expect, but leaving the camp I felt like it was an incredible experience and I learned a lot. The kids were awesome to hang around and I felt very appreciative and playful," Tyler Trout (M-Track).

Camp Kemo is sponsored by the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Palmetto Health Richland Center. To be eligible children have or have had cancer between the ages of 5 and 18 years and siblings of children with cancer between the ages of 7 and 16 years, who receive their therapy at the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Richland Memorial Hospital.

The goals of the Camp Kemo are as follows:

1. Provide child with cancer an opportunity to spend time with other children like him/her.

2. Allow child with cancer a chance to experience independence and develop self-confidence

3. Repair and strengthen relationship between child and sibling

4. Provide atmosphere for siblings of cancer patients to exchange fears and feelings

5. Give parents a week of respite from their child with cancer

6. Provide opportunity for staff and patients to develop a different kind of relationship.