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May 8, 2008 7:30 pm US/Eastern
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Mother Creates Dragonfly Heart Camp
KENT COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
For many children living with cardiac disease or similar illnesses, having a normal childhood could be out of the question.
Peggy Lee reports one mother is changing that for her daughter and others like her, and it's as simple as summer camp.
As 9-year-old Sarah Cataldo inspects her summer living quarters, she's also seeing a dream come to life.
It's something she's been looking forward to, and she didn't bring any fears with her on this adventure.
Sarah's story was first told by
WJZ in 2006 when she was battling cardiomyopathy.
Now, one successful surgery later, Sarah's getting her first chance at Sleepaway Summer Camp, and she's bringing a special friend.
"My stuffed animal cat called Peter. He went on all my surgeries with me," said Sarah.
The Kent County facility currently serves as the Echo Hill Outdoor School, but this July it will be the Dragonfly Heart Camp. It will cater to at least 20 children with cardiac diseases.
Sarah's mother Rhonda Cataldo came up with the idea.
"The parents I've already talked to are just ecstatic about being able to send their child to a camp and not having to worry about them," said Rhonda.
The camp will run as a normal one would.
The girls will sleep in one building, and the boys in another. There are some added amenities like doctors and nurses on hand 24 hours.
The precaution is necessary since the children will be bringing their own medicine cabinets.
Rhonda says they've got the children, now they need the money.
"We're out selling T-shirts, raising money because we don't want to put the burden on the families to have to pay for their children here. We're a non-profit organization," said Rhonda.
The name Dragonfly was inspired by a play Sarah was in when she was 5-years-old.
She played a dragonfly, and in her one line she said, "I'm too young to die."
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