Our Mission The Me-One Foundation is a non-profit corporation created to provide adult cancer patients and their families with an environment where they can be allowed to embrace life without cancer as the first and foremost thought of their every waking moment. The Me-One Foundation will provide families with activities and events to promote courage, hope, laughter, and enjoyment through Camp Challenge. Camp Challenge is a no-cost camp for families afflicted by cancer and in need of a place of joy and relaxation that will focus them on living life, and not fighting disease. By providing this haven of hope, we allow families to be victorious, even if temporarily, over cancer, and keeping life’s scoreboard at Cancer-Zero; Me-One. A Brief History From our founder and President, Heidi M. Wieser, RN
The therapies and treatments that are made available to those who are unfortunate enough to be called to this table of pain can be more painful than the disease. Therapies such as surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy not only attack the patient's body, but also their will to face these continued torments. Patients turn toward any ray of relief that can be offered. Unfortunately, there are far too few ports of peace to meet the demands of the growing numbers of those accosted by this monster. I am well versed in these pains. I watched my father pass in a matter of months. I made it my life goal to fight against this predator by becoming an Oncology nurse— a position I have held for the past 17 years. I have held the hands of countless patients confused as to why this was the fate they were delivered. I have shared final thoughts with those who were called from this earth in a worried and scared state. And now I wake each morning to my husband and best friend who fights daily against the raging of this beast. How could I not come to the conclusion that my role to lessen the pain of this disease was not a calling? And how could I not recognize that the creation of a place than can offer a port of peace to those in need isn’t exactly what is called for in this fight? I know first-hand from the many that have fought and lost through my years of battle with this disease, that if they could have a moment to be brought to the time when they once stood without disease, this simple moment of triumph would be nothing short of a miracle. It would be their port of peace. It shall be Camp Challenge. Me-One Foundation Board Heidi Wieser Founder and President Chris Maudru Vice-President Kat Maudru Secretary Tom Carlson Treasurer Juli Pywell Director of Camp Activities Tomer Tal, Esq. Attorney |
On
July 26, 1979, my father passed away after battling cancer for only
three months at the age of 43 and I was just 15 years old. Years
later, I was forced to watch as my Godmother deteriorated after
a three year battle from lung and brain cancer. And on February
9, 2004, my husband and high school sweetheart was diagnosed with
stage II rectal cancer at the age of 40. Our children at that time
were 6, 8, 10, and 12 years old. On March 4, 2005, my husband whom
I have known for over half my life was told his disease had progressed
to his lungs. Through all of these trials I have learned an extremely
valuable lesson. Cancer is not a disease that attacks a single patient.
Cancer is a radiant disease. It attacks the one afflicted, their
family, and their friends. It attacks without regard to race, to
age, or to familial history. It is most terrified because it carries
the distinction of all the horrific mass murderers... it is random.
It also never rests.
