When she was growing up, Alexis Lemay remembers her mother getting up early every day for cancer treatments.
It was breast cancer.
The disease put a strain on their family, but her mother wouldn’t give up. She continued teaching kindergarten and wouldn’t miss a day of work.
After a year-long battle, Lemay’s mother beat the disease.
Lemay, now a senior at UCF majoring in business, and a group of UCF students have been raising funds for the organization Base Camp.
Base Camp provides a place for children fighting cancer to be just be kids. There’s video games, drawers of makeup, beautiful clothing for dress up and tons of food.
They celebrate birthdays and milestone parties at their facility in Winter Park. The organization also helps the families of patients by providing food and support, even donating lunches and dinners to nearby hospitals every week.
“My mom may have been an adult with cancer but to be a child with cancer, it affects me even more,” Lemay said. “You think how scary that must be for them and to see them keep smiling throughout treatment is truly amazing.”
Lemay’s six-person group, Base Knights, has raised over $500 for the organization. They are just one of the almost 10 cornerstone groups helping Base Camp this semester.
Terri Jones, president of Base Camp, estimates that students from UCF would bring in about $30,000 in cash, food and donations this semester.
Jones said their organization is starting a new campaign #ConquerTheClimb, which hopes to raise $100,000 in 10 years. With the help of these UCF students, they are one step closer.
“We are able to do so much because of these students,” Jones said. “We’re so thankful for their hard work, and I can’t imagine what we’d do without them. The kids just adore them.”
