That profound quote very well could have been written about Terri Lowe and Joy Ulcak, two bright lights who joined Rebecca’s Wish as Program Co-Directors. The Taylor family has had a long and loving relationship with these ladies dating back to their careers as teachers at Leon Springs Elementary School where Rebecca, Nicholas, and Alexander attended grade school. When they retired from teaching, we identified an opportunity to leverage their love for children, with our need for leaders who are passionate about our nonprofit.

“Having this disease is traumatic. There are a lot of hurt hearts. Not just physically, but emotionally. And getting to use skills I learned as a teacher and in the ministry has been invaluable in teaching our children about grace and new beginnings,” said Terri Lowe who wants our patients to know, “Don’t let this disease define you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Our dynamic duo of Joy and Terri hit the ground running in the fall of 2022, with weekly hospital visits to our pancreas patients and planning our first-ever Winter Wonderland Party which had was attended by more than 200 people.

Their commitment to our cause has been unwavering and inspiring. In the first quarter of 2023, they helped the nonprofit secure large grants with The Charity Ball and The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio. And in March, Rebecca’s Wish hosted its inaugural Easter Egg Hunt. The weather was perfect for our outdoor event planned by our Program Co-Directors. Our guests enjoyed outdoor games, cookie decorating, photos with the Easter Bunny, and face painting. 

Fast forward to the summer, when months of planning on their part led to another unforgettable and amazing session of Camp Hope! 45 campers and 54 volunteers -which included 20 pancreatitis counselors- traveled to San Antonio for Camp Hope from 20 different states and made memories that will last a lifetime.

“Camp Hope would not have been possible without the tireless work of our Program Co-Directors,” stated Christyn Taylor. “These ladies made it their mission to ensure our children got a true camp experience and that hurting hearts were mended and forever friendships formed. I cannot thank these ladies enough for embracing Camp Hope and our children. They have taken our nonprofit to the next level.” 

“I love Rebecca. I love the whole Taylor Family,” said Joy Ulcak who stresses that Rebecca’s Wish has given her a new sense of purpose after retiring from a teaching career of 31 years. “The mission of Rebecca’s Wish is to build a community of patients and families, so that they don’t feel alone and they know that somebody does care about them, and that they have hope until we find a cure for this disease.” 

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Rebecca’s Wish, in partnership with the National Pancreas Foundation, decided that children with pancreatitis deserve the opportunity to participate in a rite of summer that is commonplace for able-bodied children. So, the two nonprofits came together to create Camp Hope, a pediatric pancreatitis summer camp where children and young people suffering from pancreatitis, or post-pancreas transplant, can experience all the joys of camp without limitations. This unprecedented camping experience is the first-of-its-kind in the world put together specifically for children with pancreatitis.

“I never got the chance to go to overnight camp growing up, because pancreatitis hospitalized me for years of my life,” said Rebecca’s Wish Founder Rebecca Taylor. “Camp is something I dreamed about, but now we get to make camp a reality for nearly 50 children with pancreatitis who are traveling from more than 20 states to San Antonio on July 30th for a week of bonding and building friendships.”

Camp Hope is taking place at Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive Morgan’s Wonderland Camp, a ruggedly-beautiful, 102-acre recreational oasis on the northern outskirts of San Antonio that is part of the world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland“family” of ventures designed for those with and without special needs.

“For most of our children at Camp Hope, this is their first time attending camp and being away from home due to their pancreatitis,” stated Rebecca’s Wish President Christyn Taylor. “Campers get to experience things they never have been able to do before including swimming, archery, cycling, horseback riding and ziplines. We want our campers to discover a new sense of belonging, all while staying safe under the guidance and care of an onsite medical and psychosocial team. We greatly appreciate Morgan’s Wonderland Camp opening its doors to Camp Hope and facilitating an unforgettable experience for our pancreas patients.”

Camp Hope would be not be possible without the participation of volunteers and the generosity of donors who have helped us to ensure camp is free for campers as well as travel stipends made available for those who need financial assistance. New to Camp Hope this year for our first-ever summer experience in Texas, University Health will be sponsoring our own version of a MASH unit field hospital staffed around the clock to attend to the myriad medical needs of our campers.

“It is an amazing accomplishment what Rebecca’s Wish is doing at Camp Hope for children with pancreatitis,” said Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, a transplant surgeon and director of the University Health Transplant Institute. He is also director of the Alvarez Center for Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Innovation at UT Health San Antonio. “On behalf of the entire team at University Health, we are proud to be supporting Camp Hope.”

“The children at Camp Hope are medically fragile and come to camp with a wide range of unique medical needs that we know how to manage,” said Dr. Naveen Mittal, pediatric transplant gastroenterologist at University Health Transplant Institute and a Rebecca’s Wish Medical Advisory Board Member. “I am looking forward to being a part of the care team at the MASH unit at Camp Hope.”

“We’re not doing enough for these children. We need to keep working hard to find a cure for pediatric pancreatitis,” said Dr. Sandeep Patel, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics and advanced endoscopy at University Health Transplant Institute. Dr. Patel, who is also a Rebecca’s Wish Advisory Board Member, said while attending the first Camp Hope in 2022 in Ohio, “I had that moment where I had to go to the bathroom for a little while and just cry. Not in just in sadness, but in joy to see what they’ve been able to pull off here.”

“Pediatric pancreatitis impacts tens of thousands of children annually. It is a disease that can be fatal and is often agonizing. Because of our experiences with children nationwide with pancreatitis, we know Camp Hope can bring joy to children with this disease,” said Christyn Taylor.

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“Our honorees this year model what a life of service looks like, from turning challenges into triumphs, using their voice, and becoming leaders who uplift others,” said Diane Quest, Points of Light interim president and CEO. “It’s an honor to recognize Mike and Jacquelyne Love, Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Robert F. Smith and Rebecca and Christyn Taylor, all of whom are a bright light in this world. We hope their stories inspire others to take action that positively impacts their community.”

Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama will once again serve as honorary co-chairs, with Marie and Andy Unanue and Alan H. Fleischmann and Dafna Tapiero serving as co-chairs. Previous honorees of The George H. W. Bush Points of Light Awards celebration include José Andrés; Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg; Maria Rose Belding; Marc and Lynne Benioff; Garth Brooks; Captain Sir Thomas Moore; Khloe Thompson; Hamdi Ulukaya; Shreyaa and Esha Venkat; Hugh Evans; Francine A. Lefrak; and Bryan Stevenson. The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards honors outstanding individuals advancing solutions in ways that demonstrate the extraordinary traits of America’s 41st president: integrity, empathy, respect, optimism, conviction in the face of opposition, and belief in the power of the human spirit to create positive change.

ABOUT THE GEORGE H.W. BUSH POINTS OF LIGHT AWARDS HONOREES
About Mike and Jacquelyne Love

Mike and Jacquelyne Love have a long and inspiring history of philanthropy and have incorporated this tenet into every aspect of their professional and personal lives.

Mike Love, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is the lead singer and a founding member of The Beach Boys and longtime supporter of environmental and educational causes. Jacquelyne Love is a businesswoman, accomplished philanthropist, interior designer and fashion designer.

In 1990, Mike Love was the first artist to respond to President George H.W. Bush’s call for service as part of the thousand Points of Light initiative. He later performed at the inaugural celebration of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards in 2019 where he and Jacquelyne served on the steering committee.

More than 20 years later, the Loves continue their commitment to a wide variety of causes from youth empowerment to health education to environmental causes. The Beach Boys have served as a pathway to pairing music and philanthropy, bringing resources to historically underserved people and communities.

“President George H.W. Bush has been a tremendous inspiration,” said Mike Love. “His legacy will forever shine through Points of Light, which inspires people from all walks of life to improve the lives of others through their personal efforts. Jacquelyne and I continue to be inspired by President Bush’s unbounded love for others, and we will carry the torch forward to the best of our ability, recognizing that love is the most powerful weapon we’ve got. We are honored, humbled and grateful to be among this year’s award recipients.”

About Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Secretary Condoleezza Rice has led a life of service. In every role she has taken on, her devotion to public service and volunteerism has shone through. She currently serves as the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where she also serves as a Senior Fellow. She is the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In addition, she is a founding partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, an international strategic consulting firm.

From January 2005 to January 2009, Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first black woman to hold the post. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001 to January 2005, the first woman to hold the position.

From February 1989 through March 1991, Rice served on President George H.W. Bush’s National Security Council staff. She served as director, then senior director, of Soviet and East European Affairs, as well as special assistant to the President for National Security. In 1986, while an International Affairs Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, Rice also served as special assistant to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A sports enthusiast, in 2022, Rice became a part-owner of the Denver Broncos as a part of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group. In 2013, Rice was appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, formerly the Bowl Championship Series. She served on the committee until 2017.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rice earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver; her master’s from the University of Notre Dame; and her Ph.D., from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

“It is especially meaningful to receive this recognition that honors the legacy of President George H.W. Bush who taught me the value of relationships and what it meant to be a good public servant,” said Rice. “He led a life dedicated to public service and finding solutions to the most challenging problems facing our country. I am grateful to Points of Light for this important celebration.”

About Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Since Vista’s inception, Smith has supervised over 590 completed transactions representing more than $290 billion in aggregate transaction value.

Smith is the founding director and president of the Fund II Foundation, dedicated to preserving the African American experience, safeguarding human rights, providing music education, and preserving the environment while promoting the benefits of the outdoors and sustaining critical American values.

In 2017, Smith became the first Black American to sign the Giving Pledge. His gift of $20 million was the largest by an individual donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

In 2019, Smith made headlines by announcing in his commencement address to Morehouse College’s Class of 2019 that he would cover the entire class’s student loan debt. After his Morehouse pledge, Smith founded Student Freedom Initiative to relieve the crushing burden of student debt for STEM students at all HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Smith also has been a strong advocate for what he has named the 2% Solution, calling on large corporations to commit 2% of their profits for the next decade to empower minority communities. He also co-leads Southern Communities Initiative, a catalytic program for racial equity across six southern communities representing half of the Black population in the U.S.

“It is an honor to receive this award conceived in the image of a generational figure. Former President Bush was a beacon to so many around our country, and the world, of the progress that could be achieved when purpose meets dedication,” said Smith. “While he is no longer with us, his spirit continues to guide our sense of social responsibility to one another. I am honored to receive this award for our continued efforts to promote social and economic justice across Black communities. This celebration will be a moment to take stock of how far we have come and recommit ourselves to scaling our individual and joint efforts.”

About Rebecca and Christyn Taylor
Rebecca Taylor is a Brown Scholar at Texas A&M University studying biomedical engineering. Upon graduation, she intends to pursue a graduate chemistry degree at Harvard University and then fulfill her scholarship by attending Texas A&M’s Engineering 2 Medicine (EnMed) medical school program.

At the age of seven, Rebecca was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, a painful, debilitating disease with no known cure. As a result of her medical challenges, Make-A-Wish offered Rebecca a wish to go anywhere, meet anyone, or see anything. With the support of her family, she asked to start a 501(c)3 nonprofit called “Rebecca’s Wish” designed to support children with pediatric pancreatitis. With Rebecca as the founder and her mother, Christyn Taylor, as president, the nonprofit has raised over $3,000,000 to date and has started programs to support countless children around the United States. Rebecca continues to live in and out of the hospital with her disease, but her focus never sways from helping medically fragile children in need.

Christyn is on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Pancreas Foundation and has participated for years on the Friend’s Board of the Ronald McDonald House. Christyn is a medical advisor and advocate and speaks on behalf of numerous organizations, hospitals and medical schools. In her spare time, she authors medical research papers, curricula and books. Christyn is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M University with honors. She resides in San Antonio with her husband and three incredible children.

“On behalf of children suffering with pancreatitis around the world, Rebecca’s Wish is honored to receive The George H. W. Bush Points of Light Award,” said Christyn Taylor. “As Texans, this award is especially meaningful to us given our lifelong admiration and respect for President Bush. This recognition acknowledges that great purpose can evolve from great adversity. It is a distinct privilege to be chosen for this very special award.”

For more information on The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards celebration, please visit pointsoflight.org/bushawards/bushawardscelebration-2023.

ABOUT POINTS OF LIGHT
The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Celebration will be held on October 26, 2023, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

Points of Light is a global nonprofit that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. Through our Global Network of 145 leading social impact and volunteer-mobilizing organizations operating in 39 countries, and partnerships with hundreds of non-profits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. To learn more, visit pointsoflight.org.

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I am thankful to be out of the hospital. I am thankful to be with family. And I am thankful to eat small portions at a time. But, during my thankful state, I am also reminded of those who are unable to be out of the hospital for the holidays. They too may be storing recipes on their phone and dreaming of family gatherings they are too sick to attend. 

Rebecca’s Wish hopes to stop children battling pancreas diseases from spending holidays in the hospital. And it is because of our generous donors that we are aggressively working toward finding a cure. Thank you for your continued support. This Thanksgiving, Rebecca’s Wish is thankful for you!  – Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca’s Wish Founder

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Rebecca’s Wish and Baylor College of Medicine share a vision of a healthier world for pediatric patients to be free from pain. Together, we can help children overcome illness by training world-leading experts in pediatric healthcare and driving discovery in medicine. To accomplish this, Rebecca’s Wish generously gave $100,000 to Baylor in October 2021 to fully fund an advanced endoscopy fellowship for Javier Monagas, M.D., at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (CHofSA).

Your donation has enabled Dr. Monagas to expand his skills as a physician and focus on enhancing pediatric care for young patients diagnosed with pancreatitis and other chronic diseases. After completing his fellowship, he joined Baylor as an assistant professor, and he continues to practice at CHofSA. This allows him to access a broad and diverse patient population, so that he can deliver the highest care to patients in need and train more physicians who want to pursue specialties in pediatric gastroenterology.

Throughout his training and medical career, Dr. Monagas has learned not to give up when it comes to helping children with complex medical problems such as pancreatitis. They truly depend on his care, and medical providers must be their biggest supporters. This opportunity from Rebecca’s Wish has provided Dr. Monagas a foundational skillset that he will be able to apply to his daily work to fully become that supporter for children with this disease. These skills allow him to improve the health of pediatric patients and to develop new, innovative treatments and techniques.

The post Bringing Hope and Healing to Pediatric Endoscopy Patients appeared first on Rebecca's Wish.

“It is an honor to accept this board position.  Rebecca’s Wish and the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) form a powerful team.  For the first time, this partnership will identify and support nationwide Centers of Excellence that will specialize in treating not just adults but children with pancreatitis,” Christyn stated.

National Pancreas Foundation CEO, David Bakelman, said, “Christyn’s leadership on the National Pancreas Foundation Board of Directors will be invaluable.  She will add a level of expertise to focus NPF on the needs of children with pancreatitis. The partnership between Rebecca’s Wish and NPF has no limits in impacting youth suffering from this disease.”

In July 2022, NPF teamed with Rebecca’s Wish to launch Camp Hope, an unprecedented initiative that brought children with pancreatitis from across the United States to attend overnight camp for the first time. “When a camper told me she felt at home at Camp Hope on her second day, I knew we had done our job right – to provide a safe space for children with pancreatitis to connect, play, and have a true summer camp experience,” stated NPF Program Director Sokphal Tun. “We could not have done this without the partnership of Rebecca’s Wish. This has been a dream for both organizations for many years and we look forward to growing the program and reaching more campers and families.”

Pancreatitis can be a lonely journey for children. They miss out on school, play dates, birthday parties, team sports and so many milestones of childhood. During their medical journey, thousands of pediatric patients will spend more time in a hospital room than a classroom. Rebecca’s Wish is the first organization to address the financial, physical and emotional issues specific to pediatric pancreatitis patients and their families.

Christyn stated, “It is so important to have allies who understand our children, and who can advocate for the latest advances for pancreatitis treatment and therapy. We believe we have cultivated a powerful partnership with the NPF, and we look forward to the evolution of our extremely critical mission.  Together, Rebecca’s Wish and the National Pancreas Foundation will change the world of pediatric pancreatitis.”

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Pretending to be patients, our doctors wrapped in a quilt from a sitting position while the children stood over them with a clipboard donning a “lab coat” (we did not have a real lab coat, so we used our doctor’s over-sized button-up shirt with a GIGANTIC Texas flag on the back. Nothing like showing these Ohioans a little Texas pride…..).

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These back-to-back webinars will answer all your questions about Camp Hope. Rebecca’s Wish and The National Pancreas Foundation created Camp Hope, so children and teenagers suffering from pancreatitis, or post-TPIAT, can experience all the joys of camp without limitations. Camp Hope is partnering with Flying Horse Farms (FHF) where campers with pancreatitis can meet, experience a summer camp adventure, and bond and build friendships in a fun and safe setting.

👩‍👩‍👦CAREGIVER FIRESIDE CHAT
Time: FEBRUARY 22nd | 6 PM EST
Host: Flying Horse Farms

Join a Caregiver Fireside Chat to learn more about Flying Horse Farms, meet the team, and get all the nitty-gritty information.

“Our Camp Director, Program Director, Nursing Coordinator, Camper & Family Liaison and Behavioral Health Program Manager will be available to answer any questions that you might have about the upcoming camp season. We will provide information on camp sessions, the application process, medical oversight, schedules, adaptations, and mental health care at camp. We will also be able to answer any questions that you, as a caregiver might have about residential camp.”

This is where you can ask questions such as:

Q: How does Flying Horse Farms create a menu for pancreatitis children?

A: They work with the dieticians at Kenyon College and Ohio State to create a menu for the specific needs of the campers.

Q: Will there be refrigerators for snacks and medication in the cabins

A: Yes!

Please bring all your questions!

We encourage you to join this meeting to help build trust in FHF and their team. FHF has been around for more 10 years and its sole mission is to provide a summer camp experience for seriously-ill children.

CLICK HERE to watch a caregiver’s experience with FHF.

CLICK HERE – REGISTER FOR CAREGIVER FIRESIDE CHAT

👩‍👩‍👦LEARN ABOUT CAMP HOPE

Time: FEBRUARY 22nd | 7 PM ET
Hosts: Rebecca’s Wish and National Pancreas Foundation

Join our chat for families to learn more about Rebecca’s Wish and the National Pancreas Foundation and get all your questions answered about Camp Hope.

– What is Camp Hope?

– Camp logistics 

– Travel

– Financial assistance

– Transporation – who will meet the campers/guardians at the airport

– Lodging for caregivers during the week

– Shuttle service

– Much more!

-Q & A  to follow

CLICK HERE – REGISTER: WHAT IS CAMP HOPE?

👩‍👩‍👦CAMP HOPE DETAILS

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 25, 2022

👩‍👩‍👦 CAMP ACTIVITIES:

– Swimming

– Archery

– Canoeing

– Ziplining

– and much more!

DATE: July 8 – 13th, 2022

LOCATION: Flying Horse Farms,  Mt.Gilead, Ohio

AGE: Campers must be 8 – 15 years old

Travel stipends available for campers/guardian 

We can’t wait to see you at CAMP HOPE!

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Bo’s Place, which is a Houston non-profit bereavement center established in 1990 to provide free grief support services for children, families, and adults, is the sponsor of the Robin Bush Award. The Taylors will receive the award at the Hearts of Hope Luncheon, which benefits Bo’s Place.

“Pediatric pancreatitis impacts tens of thousands of children annually. Rebecca’s Wish was created to assist children through this agonizing, and often, deadly disease. We identified a significant gap in the treatment of children with this disease, and because of the medical journey endured by Rebecca, we knew what to do to help,” said Rebecca’s Wish President Christyn Taylor.

“This is a tremendous honor, and we are grateful for the recognition. In a perfect world, Rebecca would not have endured years of pain and suffering, but God has bigger plans. And the unexpected miracle of her disease is that we have been able to help so many children suffering from pediatric pancreatitis. And we have only just begun…”

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When COVID began, it was a difficult but necessary decision for us to stop our hospital visits. Thankfully, the pancreatic endoscopy team took over for Rebecca’s Wish.

Almost two years after my last visit, I was finally able to meet patients again in person over the holidays. Being able to see first hand what Rebecca’s Wish means for other children with pancreatitis reminds me how important it is to support them in their suffering – most especially around the holidays.

I am so thrilled to announce that your generosity in donating toward our Hospital Holly Campaign greatly surpassed our original goal of $21,000. You raised more than $60,000!!!

I want to thank everyone who helped to support or give toward this cause over the last month. Your kindness means that we can provide scholarships to more than 60 patients and their families. The scholarships will go toward medical bills, lost wages, travel expenses, housing, food, or anything else related to the expensive care of a child with pancreatitis. We look forward to this next year, as we hope that we can continue to work toward our goal of eradicating pediatric pancreatitis. 

With love,
Rebecca 

Cora was one of dozens of children hospitalized with pancreatitis over the holidays in San Antonio. Rebecca Taylor, Founder of Rebecca’s Wish, got to meet Cora and provide her with a Rebecca’s Wish scholarship.

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