Camp Okizu's brain tumor weekend program has new benefactor

Family Weekend Named for High Tech Executive James W. Hebert

Camp Okizu, a non-profit camp in northern California for kids with cancer and their families, has a new benefactor for its weekend program for families of children with brain tumors.  In honor of Silicon Valley executive James W. Hebert, who died from a brain tumor at age 54 in 2006, his wife, Ronni Sarmanian, also a former tech executive, has committed to sponsor the event.  This annual event, which will be called the James W. Hebert Family Camp, begins April 16 and coincides with Hebert's birthday, April 13.

The James W. Hebert Family Camp provides peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreation for children with brain tumors, their parents and siblings.  In its first year the program attracted more than a dozen families and a greater number is expected this year and in the foreseeable future because the incidence of childhood brain tumors is increasing.  The 2010 event, which will take place April 16-18, will be the second year Okizu has offered this brain tumor-focused event.  Okizu began offering this program in recognition of the fact that children with brain tumors face special challenges:  While the survival rate is now up to 50 percent, those who do survive usually face devastating side effects that affect their quality of life, such as paralysis, difficulty in walking, and other neurological challenges.  

"This is not a very lucrative time for non-profits," said John Bell, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Camp Okizu, "so we are particularly pleased with this commitment now.  The need for our programs continues to increase at a time when funding is more challenging than ever."