When kidneys fail and a transplant is not an option, the alternative is to have a dialysis machine take over the kidney's function of filtering and removing waste from your blood. It's not easy for youngsters and the process, which typically takes four hours, becomes a central part of their life. However, children like Morgan (pictured right with Dr. Valerie Panzarino, better known as "Dr. Val") who live with chronic kidney disease can still have life-changing experiences at Camp Boggy Creek with the help of some very special friends!

The day before campers entered the gates at Boggy Creek to attend the final summer session, dedicated and caring volunteers arrived to prepare the Patch (Camp Boggy Creek's Medical Center) with the necessary equipment to treat children with kidney disease. Generally, dialysis treatments are required three times a week for pediatric kidney patients and at camp treatment is provided on machines cleverly disguised as "Sponge Bob Square Pants" and generously provided free-of-charge by Fresenius Medical Care Company. Volunteer nurses, technicians, and doctors (including - pictured from left, Dr. Vikas Dharnidhark and Dr. John Monaco from University of Florida & Shands Hospital, and Dr. Val from University of South Florida/Tampa General Hospital) ensure that each child's dialysis treatment is carefully monitored. Camp Counselors stay with each child and special guests often visit including good friend Donald Duck (pictured right with camper Carlton "CJ" ), bringing fun activities during treatment time at the Patch. When dialysis treatments are completed, campers rejoin their friends and actively participate in all the Camp activities including swimming, archery, and horseback riding, just to name a few.

During the final week of summer camp, Boggy Creek welcomed over 130 campers, including Israel (pictured left). Each child not only enjoyed a week of fun-filled activities, but also the opportunity to make life-long friendships. As one camper said, "Boggy Creek brings as much sunshine in my heart as my own family. Camp gives me the hope for a better future. Camp gives me life." Before Camp Boggy Creek opened in 1996, children with chronic kidney disease were not able to attend an overnight camp in Florida, free of charge, due to the medical care required and ongoing treatments needed to manage their disease. Together with camp staff, caring friends, dedicated volunteers, and Boggy Creek's generous donors ensure that campers like Morgan, CJ, Israel and many others have the equipment and care needed while having the time of their life! If you would like to make a donation and support Morgan and her friends, please click here.