For families with children battling life-threatening illnesses, relaxing family time can be difficult to achieve. Often, anxiety and stress affects all family members, and a lot of time is spent visiting hospitals and doctors while undergoing treatments and other medical procedures for the child. The organization A Kid Again works to bring a sense of normalcy back to children battling life-threatening illnesses by hosting year-round events, called Adventures, for the whole family to enjoy.
Helping kids be kids
A Kid Again began in Columbus in 1995 and has grown across Ohio and in neighboring states. The organization was formed to meet the need for children and their families to have events and activities to look forward to while undergoing treatment for their illnesses. Meghan Hawkins, Program and Communication Director
for the Northern Ohio Chapter, explains “A Kid Again includes the entire family because it’s so important to improve the well-being of everyone who is touched by the illness.”
To qualify for A Kid Again, the enrolled child must be under the age of 20 with a diagnosis which is deemed life-threatening by a medical professional, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, sickle cell disease, heart conditions and other issues. Medical bills multiply quickly for a family raising a child with a life-threatening illness, so Adventures are cost free to the family. Admission, parking, meals and other costs are paid for by A Kid Again through the help of sponsors such as Cedar Point, GPD Group, Kaulig Giving, Interim Healthcare others.
By giving families a break from their daily stress, and allowing them to participate in an activity they might not otherwise be able to afford due to medical bills, Adventures allows the children to be around other kids with similar experiences. Hawkins explained, “90 percent of the children we serve say they feel a greater acceptance by others and are less fearful of public scrutiny due
to being around other kids with similar medical conditions.”
Adventures in the area
The Northern Ohio Chapter typically hosts nine Adventures a year, including trips to Cedar Point, the Toledo Zoo and the Rotary Community Park in Perrysburg, where the Chapter hosts an annual Fall Festival with food, music, Halloween fun and an all-inclusive playground, accessible for children of all abilities.
Due to the pandemic, the organization started hosting Virtual Ad-
ventures with a magic show, cooking class, a scavenger hunt, a behind the scenes tour of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s Shark Tank and a Dance Party with the Cleveland Guardians. Additionally, the Adventure in a Box program, which provides kits to families with supplies for fun activities at home, are distributed to involved families.
Getting involved
Interested community members can become Adventure Guides, volunteer at other events, help fundraise for the Adventures, join the Advisory Board or Associate Board or refer a family that might qualify for A Kid Again. Hawkins stressed that “there is no limit to the number of families that we can serve, and we look forward to welcoming more families as we gear up for 2022 Adventures!”
To refer a family, or to enroll your own family, visit akidagain.org and fill out an application.
To become a sponsor or to volunteer for events, visit northernohiochapter@akidagain.org.
