Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital (formerly East Tennessee Children’s Hospital) operates Camp Cure, a unique summer camp designed for children ages 5 to 12 who are living with Type 1 diabetes. In a safe, supportive, and medically supervised environment, campers enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, outdoor recreation, and many other traditional camp activities. At the same time, they gain valuable skills and confidence in managing their diabetes while building friendships with other children who share similar experiences. Thanks to community support, children from Loudon and Monroe Counties, along with other area patients, are able to attend Camp Cure at no cost.
To help make these life-changing experiences possible, our Club sponsors an annual pledge walk on the third Saturday in September at the Tellico Village Wellness Center. Participants enjoy a scenic one-and-a-half-mile walk while raising funds to support Camp Cure. The event generates several thousand dollars in donations each year, which are supplemented by a $1,000 contribution from our Club. Together, these efforts have enabled dozens of children to experience the joy, friendship, and personal growth that Camp Cure provides.
