COURAGEOUS KIDZ BUSINESS PLAN

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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In more than 35 states in the US and also in Australia and Canada, there are "cancer kid programs" bringing hope and happiness to many children and siblings dealing with a variety of life-threatening forms of cancer. These programs are designed to deal with the special needs of these special children as well as their families, and provide a Safe Haven and escape from the trauma of hospital stays and aggressive medical treatments. Many states have multiple programs, in order to meet which unfortunately, is a growing demand. To assist in this very important effort, a new group with much experience in these types of activities and in working with these special children, formed "Courageous Kidz" which became chartered by the State of South Carolina as a non-profit enterprise on January 11, 2006.

Courageous Kidz is designed to not only provide a Safe Haven for kids with cancer, but also makes use an integrated approach, providing important and additional support for the entire family, as well as providing counseling and other assistance to those in the Courageous Kidz family that have lost their battle by helping them to cope with their loss and their lives that will be changed forever. While a Courageous Kidz' Camp for Kids with Cancer may be planned for the future, our main focus at present will be providing support activities and events to help ALL affected by this terrible disease. These children and family activities, which are described in more detail in this strategic plan, include "Days of Magic," "Generation CK," "FUN-TASTIC Family Reunion Extravaganza," "Family Relief Fund," "Bountiful Thanksgiving Feast," "Holiday Fun-Union," "Shaking and Baking with the Director," "Spa-licious Moms Slumber Party," "Reflections Parent Retreat," "Myrtle Beach Escape" and "Healing Hearts Moms Weekend."

As part of the Board of Directors, we are very proud to be part of this important and wonderful imitative, and to be volunteers in "Courageous Kidz."

INTRODUCTION

In 1982, the first 3-day summer camp for children with cancer, Camp Happy Days, was founded in South Carolina by Deborah P. Stephenson. After establishing one of the first camps in the country that was designed to last only one year, this became a life-altering experience interacting with the children and their parents, working with these special children and their families became a passion and lifetime commitment not only for the Founder, but also for the many volunteers involved. Mrs. Stephenson introduced many new and exciting activities and events during her more than 20-year leadership, and also recognized the importance of the family and that when a child the disease, the entire family has cancer. As a result of the activities that were initiated, they brought happiness and hope to hundreds of children, siblings and families, along with providing important counseling to those that became bereaved. At camp the children were provided a Safe Haven and a fun-filled escape from their problems and sometimes painful cancer treatments by providing a multitude of fun activities. These included climbing and rope courses, karate, hiking, working with computers, and many water sports such as fishing, power boating, swimming, giant slides, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, etc. Other activities included many different arts and crafts, such as woodworking, painting, ceramics, sewing, cooking, etc. Over the years, the children and their parents were treated to many activities including being invited guests at baseball and hockey games, concerts, etc. and met many celebrities and professional athletes who made time in their busy schedules to care. In addition to the many activities for children and siblings, the parents and families are also provided counseling and educational information on medical conditions and treatments confronting them, and options to help them deal with the day-to-day stresses and challenges of having a child with cancer. Over these years, many good and warm friendships were made and too many were cut short by this unyielding and unforgiving disease.

As a result of an earlier initiative by Mrs. Stephenson, President George H.W. Bush invited her, several of her children with cancer, and their families to the White House to sign a Proclamation which permanently established the month of September as National Awareness Month for Children with Cancer. Mrs. Stephenson was later honored for her many contributions in helping kids with cancer by South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell by receiving the state's highest award, the Order of the Palmetto.

Debby "FLASH" Stephenson and her husband Charlie have dedicated their lives to helping children and their families cope with childhood cancer and its many side effects. In support of this life-long mission, she has assembled another team of experienced volunteers in this area to establish still another support resource to provide additional assistance and services to those coping with life-threatening childhood cancer. Courageous Kids will provide another important contribution to our nation’s network of cancer kids and family support resources, so that even more children and their families can be helped.

MISSION Childhood cancer is an insidious thief that preys upon innocent children and their families. It robs precious children not only of their health, but their hopes and dreams. Our mission at Courageous Kidz is to create a Safe Haven for these children and their families. Our goal is to 'pick up the pieces' when life goes awry, restore normalcy, hope and the magic of childhood. for families devastated by childhood cancer.

VISION COURAGEOUS KIDZ represents a charitable organization formed to aid children with cancer and their families. Our overall goal is to create a safe-haven for the child and pick up the pieces where and when necessary. While the child has the disease, the entire family "has cancer". By serving the family as a unit rather than just the child, the opportunity for them to survive this horrendous ordeal is significantly improved. Courageous Kidz will strive to provide for each child, regardless of race, sex, religion, or financial status, hope, self-image and the will to live life to the fullest. We will be conscientious stewards of all public and private funds, services and goods generously donated to support our mission.

MOTTO A Safe Haven for Kids with Cancer and Their Families.

SYMBOL/MASCOT The lion is used as a symbol for "COURAGEOUS KIDZ", representing courage, spirit, determination, stamina, loyalty and love of family
 

CORE VALUES

COURAGEOUS KIDZ provides an escape for children with cancer and their families who must deal with trauma, pain, stress and anxieties associated with dealing with life-threatening situations and difficult medical treatments. The main driver is to provide children hope in an environment of their peers undergoing similar very difficult challenges and a Safe Haven, from their critical illnesses and their many detrimental effects. While the main focuses will be on the children themselves, additional efforts and support will also be directed at the family. It will do so by providing outlets to all affected by this disease and by providing information, education, encouragement and support on coping and succeeding. The theme of providing hope and striving towards 'a brighter tomorrow for children with cancer" is not just words to Courageous Kidz, but also one of the main purposes for its existence. For those not fortunate enough to have a solid family structure, the "Courageous Kidz" events will offer as much needed help and support, as desired by the families. For those even less fortunate, those families that have lost their battle, Courageous Kidz will provide counseling and support of other kinds.

STRATEGIC CUSTOMER FOCUS

Key Goals and Objectives The primary objective of Courageous Kidz is to provide an escape and Safe Haven for children with cancer and a support structure for the families involved. For these children cancer is not just a word, but is a traumatic life-changing experience that leaves them little or no choice in order to survive. This may include being subjected to a multitude of difficult and painful experiences such as numerous needle sticks, loss of hair, immobility, loss of self esteem, extended hospital stays, harshness of cancer treatments, mind-numbing nausea, mouth sores, loss of weight, etc., etc., etc. For the families afflicted, having a child with cancer means living one day at a time under extreme stress, jeopardizing relationships and marriages, and creating financial crises and other hardships. The goals and objectives of CK, simply stated, are to make a positive impact in their lives and provide them the necessary resources to combat and ultimately, overcome these many apparent 'insurmountable' challenges.

Key Strategy A non-profit organization has been formed to use the extensive experience and 'sweat equity' of its volunteers along with other concerned individuals and groups, to meet the objectives and mission of providing fun, hope, care and love to kids with cancer, and support for their families. Fundraising and a variety of other contributions will be solicited including additional volunteers, goods and services, that will be provided to the kids with cancer and activities to support their families.

Customer Integration Strategy Childhood cancer can be both a challenging and potentially devastating time for both the children, siblings and family members. It is also a very taxing time on the relationships of all involved. An integrated strategy will be used to not only treat the symptoms (helping children with cancer) but also family members and the impact this disease has on all involved. The support structure will include siblings, parents and even grandparents of children with cancer by providing information on the disease, treatment options, and coping means. Courageous Kidz will tap all necessary resources needed to achieve these goals. As we see a need, we fill a need.

Customer Focus Courageous Kidz considers its primary customer to be the children afflicted with cancer. It also understands, however, that the entire family suffers from this disease, as well. Therefore, while providing a Safe Haven for the children by providing summer camps and a variety of fun events, Courageous Kidz also provides other types of activities for the children both individually as well as in peer groups, and importantly, also provides a variety of activities and support for its other customers, family members including siblings, parents and even grandparents who sometimes are the caregivers. Courageous Kidz conducts about a dozen other types of events to focus on the children as part of peer groups, as individuals, and tailored for their age group and special needs, whether they are toddlers, small children or teens. Importantly, other activities focus on the other family members who also are affected by the disease, including events including siblings of brothers and sisters who have the cancer and special events for the moms and dads having to cope with this terrible malady, and its emotional, physical and financial ramifications. Also, information and educational sessions are held to help the parents as the primary caregivers, who have to be aware of the various options available in order to make informed decisions which ultimately, could be life and death to their child. Also, a fact of life is that some of our Courageous Kidz 'family' have lost their battle with cancer and Courageous Kidz believes it critical that events also be included such as grief counseling to help these parents 'pick up the pieces' and to cope with lives that have been dramatically changed. All of these activities are included as part of the Courageous Kidz integrated plan for helping ALL involved and adversely affected by this horrendous disease.

STRATEGIC TECHNICAL FOCUS

The Courageous Kidz organization will be governed by a Board of Directors (BOD), composed of concerned individuals from many walks of life. The Director position has been established to be the 'champion' and 'leader' of the organization, and will report to the Board of Directors. The Director will be an individual with many years of experience in working with kids with cancer and possessing a passion for helping children and their families cope with this disease and its potential catastrophic side effects. All major decisions, future direction and transparency/ accountability of the Courageous Kidz organization will be overseen by the BOD. Other groups will be established such as an Advisory Group, to assist in other support efforts for the organization, including volunteers as medical consultants, PR experts, financial experts, nutritionists, etc., as well as parents and/or children with the first hand and intimate knowledge of what is needed. Another very important Junior Advisory Group is composed of children and siblings that are most effected by this disease and can provide a unique perspective to decisions made by the Board and Organization. A web site will be established along with a reporting/newsletter process in order to document activities and how the monies and resources are used. A system of measures and indicators will be established to define what works the best, to include a feedback system for all stakeholders, in order to continually improve the services and benefits to the children with cancer and families.

As part of Courageous Kidz all children will require parental and medical permission to participate in any and all events. In addition, security checks such as those provided by SLED on volunteers will be used to assure the safety and security for the children we serve.

Administrative and other types of support (transportation, communications, etc.) will be used on an as needed basis to carry out the mission of the organization. All activities and financial transactions will be made accountable and efforts transparent.

Courageous Kidz is a non-profit organization that functions due to the many long hours of many dedicated individuals and volunteers. As of January 11, 2006, following are the officers of Courageous Kids:

Advisory Board

• Dr. Roger Vega (Section Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Georgia Medical College)
• Rep. Annette Young (South Carolina State Representative)
• Dr. Janelle Wagner (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Clinical Psychologist)
• Dr. George Wicks (Consulting Scientist, Savannah River National Laboratory - parent of 25 year survivor of ALL)

Junior Advisory Board

• Sully Leamond Cancer Patient, Middle School
• Morgan Krohn Cancer Patient, Middle School
• Colby Griffith (Cancer Patient, Middle School)
• Mac Griffith (Sibling, High School)
• Holly Ballard (Cancer Survivor, College Sophomore)
• Aaron Kinard (Cancer Survivor, College Freshman)
• Josh Nickerson (Cancer Survivor, High School graduate)
• A.J. Meelan (Sibling, College Senior)

Medical Involvement and Support

An important component in the strategy of CK involves medical input and guidance used in governing children's activities. Efforts of CK are considered as a supplement, to the treatment protocol of children with cancer, by providing escapes from the stress and pain associated with treatments, and by strengthening the mind and bodies of the children involved.. All children's activities will have input and oversight by volunteers from the medical community. CK works in partnership with medical experts with the common goal of providing all support possible to those afflicted with childhood cancer, in both a safe and secure environment.

COURAGEOUS KIDZ CHILDREN AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Courageous Kidz will provide a variety of events to help kids with cancer and their families cope with the many stressful and sometimes catastrophic events associated with this horrendous disease. Cancer impacts each individual of a family differently and an important goal of Courageous Kidz is to meet the unique needs of each family member and preserve family unity. These activities will be developed and tailored for to support children and teens directly, parents and the family unit, and those that have lost loved ones. Additional events and activities will be developed as needed and resources become available.

A top priority of CK will be to seek donations from merchants, hotel owners, food providers, etc., to minimize cash outlays.

As part of an integrated approach, an atmosphere will be provided for families to share with others in similar predicaments, coupled with providing information and education through medical community volunteers and other experts. This information is designed to help care-givers cope with this disease and assist them in being able to make informed decisions involving life and death issues of their child. These important children and family events comprising the integrated strategy for Courageous Kidz include the following:

KIDS ACTIVITIES:

• COOKIE-RAMA Kids and counselors come together to bake Christmas cookies with the Director. A full day of mixing the dough, cutting out shapes, baking the cookies and then decorating them allow children to experience the normal joy of the holiday under their not so normal circumstances. Counselors patiently allow kids to decorate their cookies while entertaining them with loving conversations, thus turning a simple tradition into a day of laughter and support.
   
• A MILE OF SMILES Special Occasions, birthdays, weddings or shower gifts "pick me ups" for both the child with cancer and the family as needed. A surprise meal delivered to the hospital, a cookie bouquet, or balloons to cheer up a child.
   
• FUN DAYZ Fun Dayz were created as a major 'pick me up' for the child undergoing unrelenting cancer treatments. This special day is greatly anticipated by both the child and his/her family! who have grown tired of chemo, surgeries, and long boring hospital stays. This special day includes a 'shopping spree' at their favorite store, a special meal at the restaurant of their choice, and finally, a surprise limo ride to an unexpected activity that could include anything from a movie to a Cinderella tea party to ice skating. The entire family is invigorated with a day away from the grueling rigors of cancer.
   
• CELEBRATIONS! Field trips are provided on an as-needed basis for children under special circumstances.
   
  • 1. pottery making
  • 2. 5/1/4 jump
  • 3. Easter egg hunt
  • 4. Tours of the newspaper
  • 5. Stingray events
  • 6. Surfing lessons at Folly Beach
  • 7. C-17 tour
  • 8. Savannah River plant tour
  • 9. Pizza Pizazzzzzzzzzzz/movies
  • 10. Baseball game
  • 11. Slumber party/make up your counselor/fashion show
  • 12. Boat trip
  • 13. Bowling

TEEN ACTIVITIES:

• GENERATION C.K. Teens with cancer face especially tough obstacles during this important time of physical and social development. They struggle with such issues as not being able to go to school, loss of hair, and alienation from friends. "Generation CK" brings teens together in an atmosphere of acceptance and fun. The event includes an age appropriate activity such as bowling or a pizza party… with time set aside to just share experiences that teens with cancer must face. Discussions range from topics of dating and physical limitations to fear of death and coping with a friend's dying. This emotionally supportive event can mean all the difference to young people who are forced to deal with real life issues so early in life.

FAMILY FUN-TASTIC EVENTS:

• DAYZ OF MAGIC were created as a major 'pick me up' for the child undergoing unrelenting cancer treatments. This special day is greatly anticipated by both the child and his/her family who have grown tired of chemo, surgeries, and long boring hospital stays. The day includes a 'shopping spree' at their favorite store(s), a special meal at the restaurant of their choice, and finally, a surprise limo ride to an unexpected activity that could include anything from a movie to a Cinderella tea party to ice skating. The entire family is invigorated with a day away from the grueling rigors of cancer.
   
• FUN-TASTIC FAMILY REUNION Strong bonds are built between children with cancer, their families, and the many volunteers who help throughout the year. The Family Reunion Extravaganza event celebrates these bonds and the end of summer with fun, food, and frivolity. Old fashioned games, boat rides, hot dogs and hamburgers and lots of music to keep the hands clappin' and the feet tappin' help families affected by cancer call upon each other's strength one more time before the next school year begins.
   
• GIVING THANKS Thanksgiving Bountiful Feast: Holidays bring a special stress to families dealing with cancer. This event starts the holiday season in a supportive environment. Families bring a pot-luck dish to the Director's home to celebrate this national day of thankfulness together. Tables laden with food and conversation loaded with laughter help everyone celebrate this wonderful day. After dinner, Dads retreat to the den to watch football, the kids race outside to play hide and seek and the Mom's relax and enjoy the peace together -- momentarily forgetting the nastiness of cancer.

• HOLIDAY FUN-UNION This much anticipated reunion brings together children who have overcome many obstacles to enjoy a day full of Holiday cheer. The day starts with traditional holiday activities such as decorating a 'live' Christmas tree and making special holiday arts and crafts. After a wonderful 'yummy for the tummy' feast, Santa Claus arrives laden with gifts and accompanied by 8 counselors dressed as 8 tiny reindeer. Finally, the classic poem The Night Before Christmas is read as the children settle down to end the day with a night of popcorn and music. The festive atmosphere not only allows kids with cancer to celebrate and re-connect, it also offers a friendly atmosphere for families and volunteers to welcome new families experiencing Courageous Kidz for the first time.

SANTA'S HELPERS

The Holidays can be especially tough financially for these already impoverished families. Courageous Kidz receives calls regularly from desperate families, who have exhausted all their resources. Courageous Kidz has been blessed with several generous donors who have lovingly and graciously adopted a family, ensuring that Santa and his reindeer will be coming to these homes.

HELPING HANDS

Cancer is an expensive, long-term disease. Often the care-taking demands require a parent to quit their job to support the child undergoing cancer treatments. Worse yet, the unrelenting stress can sometime led to divorce. Courageous Kidz helps pick up the pieces for families who are struggling to make ends meet. The fund can be used to defray such basic living expenses as utility bills, transportation expenses, or even a month's rent. Disbursements for such 'extras' as Halloween costumes and extra school supplies help children with cancer live as normally as possible, even under the terrible financial strain their illness sometimes brings.

PARENTS AND CARE-GIVERS EVENTS

• MOM'S SPA-LICIOUS RETREAT Moms whose children are currently battling cancer come together at a luxurious beach house once a year for a weekend of sharing, pampering, and yummy meals! Massages, manicures, arts and crafts, plus a surprise or two create a weekend of pure indulgence. Laughter rings through the house as the Moms 'let loose' for the first time in months. This weekend is a much needed getaway for the Moms to get relaxed, refreshed, and re-energized. Moms share stories, a few tears, and medical information as they all hope for the future together. This 'oh so wonderful weekend' ends with hugs, phone numbers and friendships that will last a lifetime.
   
• BEACH RETREAT Parents of children with cancer 'escape' to beautiful Myrtle Beach for a weekend of information exchanges. Parents talks about their treatment protocols with other parents and have the opportunity to meet with a Doctor of Children's Oncology who will share the latest in medical diagnosis, treatments, and other topics. This informative weekend allows parents a much needed time-out to just think about all the options available for coping and treating the disease that is so affecting their lives. Having a little fun, sharing their fears, and just plain relaxing for a few days rejuvenates the parents before they have to re-enter the daily battle for their children.

BEREAVED PARENTS EVENTS

• HEALING HEARTS MOMS RETREAT This is a special retreat for mothers whose child passed away due to cancer, Mothers who have lost a beloved child share with other Moms' painful memories and the excruciating void the death of their child has created. Moms spend time with others who have experienced the same loss. Relaxation and pampering combined with a few surprises make this a weekend to remember. During the weekend, mothers share their tears, experiences, mischief and laughter. Moms go home relaxed and refreshed.
   
• REFLECTIONS Bereaved parents. Like the 'Phoenix' these parents 'rise from the ashes' to cope with the nightmare of death of their child. Grief is all-consuming; marriages suffer, siblings feel lost and angry, and life for families as they once knew it seems out of control. Parents who have lost a child to cancer come to Myrtle Beach with others who have suffered the same loss. First time parents who are nervous about coming into a room full of strangers soon find themselves in a 'roomful of friends'. Painful memories are tempered through cathartic conversations with grief counselors, spiritual advisors, and other wonderful parents as they tread through their maze of grief together. On Sunday, the weekend of such special emotions ends with our traditional balloon release on the beach -- celebrating the lives of these very special children. For many, the Reflections Parent Escape is the beginning to the long road of healing.

KEY METRICS FOR SUCCESS

As stated earlier, the primary mission of COURAGEOUS KIDZ is to create a "Safe Haven for kids with cancer" and to assist children in coping and defeating this debilitating disease, while also providing additional support to family members. It is important in these efforts to continually monitor and measure effectiveness and to assess which activities are the most successful and which may not be living up to expectations. Consequently, CK will constantly request feedback and input from all stakeholders involved and use the comments and suggestions made to continually improve its services to ALL involved.

SUMMARY

Cancer is a life-altering event that adversely effects children afflicted and all members of their family in a very dramatic and detrimental way. While medical science has made great strides in extending the lifetimes of children with cancer and even discovered cures in some cases, cancer fight continues to be the number one killer of children today. It is the mission of CK to provide a Safe Haven for these children and allow them to enjoy normal childhood under very abnormal circumstances. CK strives to provide hope and encourage and resources to these very special individuals and their families, and help them in all ways possible in their for life.

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