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Rolling Down the River

(Casey Cares Foundation)Washington, DC – Oct. 16 - Seven families from the DC area enjoyed lunch and a relaxing yacht ride down the Potomac River on Sunday, October 15th. But what made these families so special is that each of the families has a critically ill child who is a patient at Georgetown University, Children’s National or University of MD Hospitals. This “cruise” enabled families with critically ill children to relax and get away from their stress, if only for an afternoon. It was provided by the Casey Cares Foundation, a non-profit charity that provides uplifting programs to critically ill children and their families, and Capital Yacht Charters in Washington DC. As the families enjoyed lunch, they listened to Captain Eric’s fabled history of the Potomac while also getting support from each other. The families exchanged information about their diseases and course of treatments. “There was one family whose daughter just lost her hair and started treatment and another family whose son is now in remission after a 2 year battle,” explained Program Director Erin Webb. “It was cathartic for families to see that there is hope and help groups like ours.” “My cousin died of Cystic Fibrosis when she was 14,” said Robin Slaughter, co-owner of Capital Yacht Charters. “Anything I can do to help to help these families and Casey Cares, I would like to do.” The Casey Cares Foundation provides heartwarming programs with a special touch for critically ill children and their families in the Mid-Atlantic area. The Family Festivities, Birthday Blasts and Celebration Vacation Programs are designed to bring simple pleasures into lives of families who take nothing for granted and must make everyday count.