BRASS is designed specifically for the siblings of pediatric cancer patients, as well as bereaved siblings.
BRASS offers them a place for open, honest dialog with other campers and counselors to ensure they too are enveloped in a strong support system where they can put the family trauma of cancer away to spend time being a kid, In an environment where the focus is completely on them.
The importance BRASS plays in the siblings’ lives is significant; so much so that most camp counselors, as well as counselors-in-training, are former BRASS campers themselves.
My campers taught me that I held the ability to turn my hardships into helping
hands by teaching them that something as horrific as childhood cancer could bring something as beautiful as BRASS into their lives.
BRASS Counselor
The Hope Fund Educational Scholarship was established in 2021 by Jodi DeOms McKay and Bryan DeOms, in loving memory of their parents Gary and Dianne DeOms. Both Gary and Diane (Mama D) were active and engaged supporters of Special Love programming. They took a particular interest in the brothers and sisters of children with cancer and their families. This scholarship program is designed to develop new talent in the fields of their personal professional experience.
The Hope Fund Educational Scholarship Fund for Siblings of Cancer Patients, provides educational scholarships to patient siblings, age 18 to 30, pursuing post-secondary education or training and who are or have participated in Special Love’s BRothers And Sisters (BRASS) programming. Each year, the fund makes grants based on available resources aimed at applicants who have demonstrated a financial need, academic potential and involvement with Special Love programming.
Scholarship awards are specifically for siblings of cancer patients at the collegiate level of undergraduate junior or above (to include graduate programs) whose degree interest is agriculture, science/medicine and/or non-profit management.
Awards are intended for to cover the student’s tuition and school fees only.
Special Love Winter Weekend is open to patients (and immediate family) who are 17 years of age and younger and who are on treatment or within 3 years of their off-treatment […]