March 19, 2025
A group of young Okizu camp participants cheer and celebrate together with excitement.
Okizu Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping all members of families affected by childhood cancer to heal through peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs. For over 40 years, Okizu has offered free, medically supervised residential camps and year-round programs for children with cancer, their siblings, and parents in Northern California. The organization’s name originates from the Sioux language and means “unity, to come together, to heal from a hurt, to make whole,” reflecting its commitment to fostering a compassionate and inclusive community.
Okizu fosters a supportive community through its various camp programs where campers can build meaningful relationships with those who share similar journeys. With research, practical application, and an innovative approach, Okizu offers therapeutic care to children and families that would otherwise be unavailable to them. For many, being at the camp is the only time during the year that they can connect with others who truly understand their experience.
“Okizu brought us together with other families who understood our situation in a way that very few people could relate.”—Okizu parent
A group of young Okizu camp participants walk hand-in-hand down a sunny path, enjoying the outdoors together.
The William H. Donner Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of Okizu’s mission. Since 2001, the Foundation has contributed over $1.7 million to the organization, including $110,000 in 2024.
The support from the William H. Donner Foundation throughout the years has helped Okizu reach more families and grow its programs, which include:
- an Oncology Camp for children who have or have had cancer;
- a SIBS (Special and Important Brothers and Sisters) camp for children who have a sibling who has or has had pediatric cancer;
- Family Camp weekends (including Bereavement Camp weekends);
- Teens-N-Twenties weekend retreats for older teens and young adults dealing with cancer;
- a Bereaved Teen program, specifically for teens who have lost a sibling to cancer.
Okizu is working hard to make a lasting impact by providing children with cancer and their families a place of healing, connection, and joy.