Celebrating its 22nd year of summer programs in 2012!
Check out the 2011 Camp Friendship video from our new summer location!
Foundation Fact Sheet
| Date Founded: | December 1986. A public, not-for-profit Maryland corporation in good standing. Classified as a 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code |
| Mission: | To improve the quality of life, for children with cancer and their families throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, by providing year round recreational and support programs free of charge. |
| Founder: | Beverly Eiserer Gough, with support from the Eiserer family and her son, Tommy Gough, Director of Camp Programs & Operations. |
| Inspiration: | Named in memory of Carol Jean Eiserer, a 22-year Montgomery County, Maryland schoolteacher who died of a malignant brain tumor at age 43 in May 1986. Carol Jean was dedicated to teaching children that life offers opportunities for joy and hope even in the face of pain and illness. |
| Area it Serves: | Children with cancer and their families throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Since October 1991, over 10,000 children whose lives have been touched by cancer have benefited from CJCF programs.
The children are treated at, and with their physician's clearance, are referred to CJCF programs by, area hospitals. Listed in alphabetical order, the hospitals are: Children's National Medical Center (Children's Hospital), Georgetown University's Lombardi Cancer Center, Inova Fairfax, Johns Hopkins, The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Naval, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, University of Maryland Medical Systems. |
| Hospital Support: | Since first program in 1991, most of the foundation's on-site oncology medical personnel, including pediatric oncology nurses, have been provided by Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. and Sinai Hospital of Baltimore |
| Staff: | Board of Directors and Advisory Board members, camp counselors and most program staff are volunteers. The foundation has no paid employees. |
| Funding Statement: | It is noteworthy that during CJCF's entire operating period (from 1991-2009), a remarkable average of 90% of every dollar contributed to CJCF went directly to funding program expenses, and management and general expenses were only 6.0%. Fundraising averaged 4.0%. The foundation does not receive any federal, state or local government grants. All funds and in-kind contributions come from individual contributors, community groups, churches, corporate campaigns, and public or private foundation grants. Figures derived from Form 990. |
| Programs: | Camp Friendship (CJCF's premier program), Teen Scene, Lori's Junior Day Camp, Parents at Camp, Beth's Children, Brother and Sisters Together, The Seashell Connection, The Altair Vision, Time for Moms & Dads, the Family Getaway Week at Camp, Project STRETCH (Stand Tall Reach for Education To Climb High), and Teens "N" Twenties (T"N"T for young adults 18 - 25). See Programs page for more details. |
| First Program: | In October 1991, 23 children and their families attended a weekend session of Camp Friendship. |
| Contact: | Beverly Gough (CJCF President) Office Location: 10718 Cleos Court Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: 410-531-0758 Fax: 410-531-0934 http://www.cjcf4kids.org |
| National Recognition Awards: | 1994 First place winner "Freddie" special award from International Health and Medical Film Festival for "Camp Friendship: Where Kids Can Just Be Kids."
2005 Finalist 26th Annual Telly Awards for "Camp Friendship." Copies available upon request. |
| Noteworthy: | In its 32nd year, the January/February 2006 issue of Pediatric Nursing featured a 3 1/2 page article entitled, "This is the Best Life Yet - Life at Camp Friendship" in the "inspirations" segment.
(Camp Friendship) Carol Jean Cancer Foundation was selected in the October 2005 Washingtonian Magazine as one of the "top 40 local organizations that strengthen the bodies and spirits of young Washingtonians and gives them tools needed to build better futures." *** In 2010, CJCF celebrated its 20th year of providing year round recreational and support programs, free of charge, to children and families dealing with cancer. CJCF has reached its initial goal of serving over 10,000 children dealing with cancer. Amazingly, 90% of every dollar contributed to CJCF has gone directly to funding program expenses. |