Camp Wheez celebrated its 45th year in August by welcoming 19 children for a week of fun and asthma education at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara.
The free community program gives youth with asthma the chance to experience all the fun of a summer camp in a safe environment designed to meet their needs. Campers also gain the knowledge and skills to confidently manage their asthma so they can lead healthy, active lives.
Under the leadership of Dr. Myron Liebhaber, Sansum Clinic allergist and immunologist and Camp Wheez medical director,, the camp operates safely with assistance from volunteer physicians, allergists, respiratory therapists and nurses.
This year, Sansum also welcomed Cottage Children’s Medical Center Pediatric residents to Camp Wheez for the first time. Eleven high-school volunteer counselors managed the campers and guided them through the week’s activities, while ensuring they stayed safe.
A number of children who attended Camp Wheez have gone on to become counselors and supporters.
“We could not have asked for a more capable and wonderful group,” said Dr. Liebhaber. “This is a true community effort, and we’re incredible grateful for the many donors, volunteers and supporters who have made Camp Wheez possible for this long.”
Campers participated in activities including arts and crafts, games and recreation, cooking lab, lung lab, and lung class.
Parents and caregivers were invited to an Asthma Education Lunch where a panel of physicians including Drs. Jinny Chang, Victoria Eng and Luke Noronha presented an update on pediatric asthma.
Camp Wheez 2022 was made possible by the support of community members and organizations including:
Volunteers:
Sansum Clinic Allergy Department
Cottage Health Respiratory Care Team
Dr. Luke Noronha
Karen Acevedo, RN
Community volunteers and high school students
Donors:
Jim and Peggie Cox
Joey Flanagan Memorial Fund
Gail M. Grant
Dr. Karen Johnson
Dr. Ernest Kolendrianos
Dr. Myron Liebhaber
Larry Rosen
Michael and Rania Shenoda
Swanton Foundation
Karen Thiessen
Community partners:
CenCal Health
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara
Explore Ecology
Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara Audubon Society
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
UCSB Marine Science Institute
For more about Camp Wheez and how to support it, visit www.sansumclinic.org/camp-wheez or contact the Sansum Clinic Health Resource Center, 805-681-7672.