I’m Walking 84 Miles in England with 12 Dads to Help 3 Million Children
This morning, in Washington, D.C., I had the honor of announcing something rather fantastic at the sold-out Dad2.0 Summit.
I’ll be one of 12 dad bloggers, writers and influencers who will be traveling across the Atlantic this July to walk the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England – raising $40,000+ to fund a new Camp Kesem chapter at the University of Maryland. We’re doing this in honor of our late friend, Oren Miller, who lost his lung cancer battle nearly one year ago.
Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing much more about this trip, but for now I’ll share the important link to our fundraising page. If you know me, you know Camp Kesem means everything to me. Having the opportunity to support it with a community of men I love is humbling.
Thank you for your support. To learn more about Oren, Camp Kesem and our Expedition, read below:
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Expedition Team
Phil Corless (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) of Idaho Dad
Jim Higley (Chicago, Illinois) of Bobblehead Dad
Whit Honea (Los Angeles, California) of Dads4Change
Brent Almond (Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C.) of Designer Daddy
Chris Routly (Portland, Oregon) of Daddy Doctrines
Michael Moebes (Atlanta, Georgia) of Dadcation
Jeff Bogle (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) of Out With the Kids
Jason Greene (New York, New York) of One Good Dad
Brian Reasoner (Nashville, Tennessee) of Southern Bella’s Big Daddy
Josh Misner PhD (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) of Mindful Dad
Doug French (Ann Arbor, Michigan) of Dad 2.0 Summit
John Pacini (Houston, Texas) of Dad 2.0 Summit
About Camp Kesem
Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. A program of Kesem, Camp Kesem operates over 80 free summer camps in 34 states for children ages 6 to 16 who have been touched by a parent’s cancer. This camping experience has a lasting impact on children by providing them a peer-support network that understands their unique needs, builds confidence and stengthens their communication skills. In 2016, Camp Kesem will serve over 6,000 children children coast-to-coast – all funded by generous donations from individuals and corporate support. For more information on Camp Kesem, please visit www.campkesem.org, www.facebook.com/CampKesem, and @CampKesem on Twitter & Instagram.
About Oren Miller
Oren Miller was a game-changer and a people-connector. In life – and in the parent writing community. Oren’s brilliant and thought-provoking words can still be found on his personal blog – A Blogger and a Father. But what Oren will most be remembered for – second to the two beautiful children he and his wife, Beth, were raising – is the establishment of the largerst community of dad bloggers globally – via Facebook. Dad Bloggers, as it is known, today is a community of over 1,000 fathers who write. It is a place where – based on Oren’s vision – men can safely explore a broad spectrum of topics.
Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, Oren continued his committment to writing while his personal health issues ensued. “Oren fought through four different chemotherapy regimens, radiation, steroids, and exhausting side effects of the therapies and the cancer in every attempt to prove all the medical professionals wrong,” said Dr. Ashley Helgeson of Johns Hopkins Hospital. “He was determined to live as long as he could to give back to his friends and family.”
He died in February 2015.
“He gave us all endless written accounts and beautiful words of wisdom about the power of love, life and living,” said Dr. Helgeson. “He wrote letters for his wife and children for their birthdays that he knew he would not be present for, as he wanted those left behind to remember his life purpose and the love he had for his family.”
Oren was posthumously awarded the “Personality of the Year Award” at the Mom 2.0 Summit in May 2015 – in recognition of the positive impact his life has had on millions.