Courageous Kidz, Inc. is a South Carolina 501-3c Non-Profit Charitable Organization.
Our mission is to provide year-round, unforgettable experiences for children with cancer and their families in South Carolina.
We provide much needed respite, mutual support and positive activities free of charge to these wonderful children and their families.
We are more than a pediatric cancer support community for patients and their families. The kids and their families become part of our loving Courageous Kidz family forever.
Our goal is to relieve as much stress as possible from these amazing kids and families so that they can concentrate on helping the child with cancer get well again. Studies show that stress can have a negative effect on medical outcomes, delay recovery and affect every member of the family in a negative way.
Courageous Kidz is here to eliminate as much stress on the family as possible. We do everything we can to ensure a positive environment for the child with cancer and the entire family.
Many people have said that one of the most important things Courageous Kidz does is bring people together.
We are a community of families stricken by childhood cancer. Our community is bolstered by amazing volunteers who give their time and love to help children and families fighting cancer live a better life.
Our community consists of generous sponsors and donors - people with benevolent hearts willing to help the kids and families during times of need.
By becoming part of our Courageous Kidz family, these kids, their siblings, and their parents gain a support network made up of other families who have experienced the same issues and understand the problems associated with pediatric cancer. They gain affiliation with people willing and able to provide and support them- to help them keep going and endure each day. They meet families willing to help lift them up and encourage them, when they truly need it most.
About Us
Our History
Courageous Kidz, Inc. is a non-medical, nonprofit organization that focuses on families devastated by childhood cancer. We believe that the child has the disease, but the whole family has the cancer. The challenges that present themselves to these families are never-ending with long-term side effects, financial havoc, insurance conflicts, marriage conflicts; and the list is endless. The goal of Courageous Kidz is to pick up the pieces, when life goes awry,
restore normalcy and give the Magic of Hope!
We ARE a SAFE HAVEN for Kids with Cancer!
Courageous Kidz is comprised of compassionate and dedicated people
from a variety of backgrounds who share a common interest in helping
our kids! We invite everyone to participate in helping us reach our goals
through financial support, by volunteering, by participating in one of our
events, or by getting the word out about Courageous Kidz.
Our Founder/Director, Deborah Stephenson, lovingly known as “Flash,” was born and raised in East Aurora, New York. Debby moved to Charleston in 1967. She was married to her husband, Charlie, for over 41 years. Debby has two beautiful daughters, Meg and Stephanie, and three "perfect" grandchildren who call her "Gramma." Debby lovingly spoils them daily.
Debby was a very successful Realtor for 13 years; She was a Million Dollar producer for eight years and at one time had her own agency with five agents. As State Chairman of the Make America Better Committee for the South Carolina Association of Realtors, Debby originated Camp Happy Days as the State project in October of 1982. The first camp was held the following year in 1983. From 1982 to 1984, the camp project won national recognition by the National Association of Realtors four years in a row. Once Debby met and grew to know the children and their families, her life changed dramatically and what began as a volunteer project soon became her life's work, a full-time mission for her. The volunteer project changed from Camp Happy Days to Happy Days and Special Times, The Loving Answer for Children with Cancer. It grew under Debby's leadership from 29 children with a $5000 budget at the first camp - to being able to accommodate more than 200 children/families and a budget of over a million dollars a year.
In 2005, Debby stepped down from the helm of Happy Days and Special Times to focus on caring for her husband who was fighting his own battle with cancer.
After leaving Happy Days, Debby continued to receive phone calls and emails from families needing the kind of help that only she could provide. Recognizing the need these families had for her more personal type of care, Debby created Courageous Kidz, Inc., A Safe Haven for Kids with Cancer and their Families & giving the Magic of Hope!
Our Staff
Debby Stephenson
Lovingly known as “Flash,” Debby founded Courageous Kidz in 2006 after she recognized the need the kids and families had for her own special kind of help that wasn't available anywhere else.
Holly LaChance
Holly has been with Courageous Kidz since 2013. She can often be found in the office trying to keep all the ducks in a straight line.
Flash
Our logo was drawn by a young child fighting cancer, when asked how he stays so brave. He answered, "because I'm courageous like a lion!"
Contact Us
Courageous Kidz
230 Old Dominion Dr.
Charleston, SC 29418