WHO WE SERVE
- The list below is a guideline for medical conditions Victory Junction serves! Some conditions may be served during family weekends only. If a child does not appear to fit into one of the categories, please contact a camper recruiter:
- Kim Cochran kcochran@victoryjunction.org
- Chris Foster chris.foster@victoryjunction.org
- Kristin Wolbert kwolbert@victoryjunction.org
- Autism
- Burn Survivors
- Cancer
- Craniofacial Anomolies
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Deaf/ Blind
- Diabetes
- Down Syndrome
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Genetic Disorders
- Heart Disease
- Bleeding Disorders
- Immunologic Disorders
- Rheumatologic Disorders
- Kidney Disease
- Lung Disease
- Neurology/ Seizure Disorders
- Physical Disabilities
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Skin Disease
- Spina Bifida
- Transverse Myelitis
- Transplant Recipients
- Ventilator Dependent Campers
- Siblings
- More Info on Camper Groups:
- BURN SURVIVORS:Of the roughly 25 million burn injuries that occur annually in the U.S., about 1 ¼ million present to an emergency department, and 50,000 are admitted. Over 20,000 of these are "major" burns (involving more than 25% of the total body surface). Specialized treatment is available in burn centers, including skin grafting and physical therapy. A major consequence of burns is scars, which can lead to contractures (tightening of the skin which limits mobility) and self-consciousness over altered appearance.
- CANCER: About 6,000-8,000 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S., representing about 2% of all cancer diagnoses. More than 70% of childhood cancers can be cured. The most common treatment modalities are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and bone marrow transplant.
- CRANIOFACIAL ANOMALIES: A group of deformities involving abnormal growth of the head and facial bones. All are present at birth, and range in severity from mild to very severe. Cleft lip and/or palate is the most common condition in this group, present in about one in every 600 births. Although treatment is usually surgical, the management of these children involves a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
- CYSTIC FIBROSIS: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food. The mucus also can block the bile duct in the liver, eventually causing permanent liver damage.
- DIABETES: A metabolic disease caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin, a resistance to the actions of insulin, or a combination of the two, resulting in high blood sugar. Type 1 requires insulin to sustain life, while Type 2 may be controlled with weight loss and exercise; oral medications and/or insulin. Long-term complications can involve the eyes, kidneys, nervous and immune systems, heart, brain, and limbs.
- GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS: Includes hepatitis (different viral infections of the liver), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis). About 100,000 American children less than age 18 have IBD, which can cause pain, diarrhea, and poor nutrition. Arthritis and skin disease may be associated problems. IBD is treated with medications to suppress inflammation (including steroids), nutritional supplements, and sometimes surgery to remove portions of inflamed bowel.
- HEART DISEASE: Includes congenital or acquired abnormalities of the heart and/or surrounding blood vessels. In the U.S., about 8 in 1,000 newborns per year (40,000 annually) have heart defects, such as a hole between two chambers, a valve that is leaky (or too tight), or blood vessels connected in the wrong place. The heart can also be damaged by infection or certain medications. Resulting complications may include congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and arrhythmias. Most children with congenital heart disease require surgery to correct the problems; various medications, oxygen and a pacemaker may also be required.
- Bleeding Disorders (Von Willebrands, ITP): A bleeding disorder caused by a lack of coagulation factors in the blood. The result is that the child is more likely to bleed, and less able to stop the bleeding once it has started. The disease affects primarily males, and is present in about 1/10,000 live male births. Bleeding occurs mostly in joints or muscles. The treatment is intravenous replacement of the deficient factor.
- IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS: Inherited or acquired abnormalities of the immune system (the body's way to fight infection). Some children are born with a defect in their immune system. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes an infection that can result in AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). If the immune system is not working properly then the person is at risk for infections and some cancers. There is no known cure for HIV, but it can be controlled by a regimen of medications.
- RHEUMATOLOGIC including but not limited to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: An inflammation of large and small joints (the majority of patients are female) that begins before age 16. It results in generalized aches and pains, fatigue, and stiff joints (worse in the morning). The eyes and kidneys may be affected. The disease is treated with physical therapy (exercise and splints), anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medications, and steroids.
- Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus and is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling and loss of function, either on the inside or on the outside of the body (or both). For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. Studies suggest that more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women. Symptoms and diagnosis occur most often when women are in their child-bearing years, between the ages of 15 and 45. In the United States, lupus is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans.
- KIDNEY DISEASE: Inherited or acquired defects of the renal system. Damage may occur secondary to diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, lupus, high blood pressure), drugs, or inflammation. Symptoms include poor appetite, swelling, and tiredness, while anemia and high blood pressure often result from poor kidney function. If an appropriate diet and medications do not improve renal function sufficiently, then dialysis and kidney transplant may be considered.
- LUNG DISEASE: The majority of our lung disease campers have asthma, which is a chronic disease characterized by flare-ups of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Asthma is a chronic disease of children, affecting about 5 million in the U.S. alone. The smaller airways of the lungs constrict (become smaller in diameter) and become inflamed, and there is excess mucous production, all of which result in restricted air flow, especially on exhalation. Avoidance of "triggers" (e.g., mold, dust, animal dander, smoke, etc.), good hydration, and medications (pills, inhalers, and nebulizer treatments) are the principal modes of therapy.
- NEUROLOGY/SEIZURE DISORDER: This group includes many different conditions, but the most common result is recurrent seizures (epilepsy). One in every 50 children has epilepsy, caused by a sudden discharge of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures come in many varieties (such as shaking movements with loss of consciousness, or staring spells), and can be treated with medications, a vagus nerve stimulator (similar to a pacemaker), and sometimes surgery.
- PHYSICAL DISABILITIES A diverse group of disorders with altered ability to move the body. There may be changes in muscle tone, or muscle weakness or paralysis. Cerebral Palsy is the most common condition in this group. Braces, crutches, or a wheelchair may be necessary.
- SICKLE CELL DISEASE: An inherited disorder of hemoglobin and red blood cells characterized by significant anemia (low red blood cell count), and recurrent episodes of pain caused by the "sickled" red blood cells in small blood vessels. It affects African Americans almost exclusively, about 1/500 born in the U.S.
Triggers such as exposure to cold, dehydration, infection, fever, and stress can result in a painful "crisis". Stroke, kidney damage and bone problems may also occur. Treatment is with medications to help prevent infection and sickling, and to increase red blood cell production. Blood transfusions are sometimes required, and the only current cure is a bone marrow transplant.
- SKIN DISEASE: Examples would include very fragile skin that blisters easily (Epidermolysis Bullosa), or dry, thickened, scaly skin (Ichthyosis). Children may be self-conscious due to unusual skin appearance. Treatment includes protection from injury, topical and oral medications, good hydration, baths, dressing changes, and limited sun exposure.
- SPINA BIFIDA: A "neural tube defect" in which the spinal column fails to develop and close properly during the first month of pregnancy, resulting in weakness or paralysis (and loss of sensation) below the level of the defect. Bowel and bladder function may be affected. It is the most frequent permanently disabling birth defect (about 1/1,000 newborns in the U.S., or 4,000/year). A child may need crutches, braces, or a wheelchair, depending upon the level of the defect. About 70% of these children also have hydrocephalus, chronic urinary tract infections and latex allergy are common. Treatment generally requires multiple surgeries throughout life (including closure of the spinal column, and various others for bone, bladder, and other problems), shunt placement if there is hydrocephalus.
- SIBLINGS: This is a mostly well group of children whose brother or sister attended Victory Junction in the same summer.
- BURN SURVIVORS:Of the roughly 25 million burn injuries that occur annually in the U.S., about 1 ¼ million present to an emergency department, and 50,000 are admitted. Over 20,000 of these are "major" burns (involving more than 25% of the total body surface). Specialized treatment is available in burn centers, including skin grafting and physical therapy. A major consequence of burns is scars, which can lead to contractures (tightening of the skin which limits mobility) and self-consciousness over altered appearance.
