The Periwinkle Foundation

What we do:

Arts and Creative Writing Program:

Making A Mark® - Since 2001, Periwinkle has collaborated with the Arts in Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer Center to bring fun and unique opportunities for self expression, empowerment and development of coping skills to patients and their families utilizing professional artists and writers. Periwinkle’s Arts and Creative Writing Program culminates in Texas Children’s Cancer Center’s Making A Mark® presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, an exhibition of art and creative writing by children touched by cancer and blood disorders.

The Splendid Review - Is a published book of children's poetry created in partnership with Texas Children's Cancer Center and the Writers in the Schools program. Three times a year The Periwinkle Foundation publishes these books and distributes them to local organizations including Texas Children's Cancer Center.


The Periwinkle Foundation Camps:

Camp Periwinkle
Our signature program for 27 years, Camp Periwinkle has earned the reputation of being the “Camp of all Camps” among campers and counselors. As a camp dedicated to families facing overwhelming challenges and potentially end of life issues, we couldn’t ask for a better moniker. Camp Periwinkle is a week-long summer camp filled with joy for children with cancer and blood disorders and their siblings, ages 7 to 15 years old. It is designed to provide a safe, emotionally healing and fantastic adventure that gives every camper (both patients and siblings) the opportunity to grow in independence and self esteem and to leave Camp Periwinkle a stronger survivor.

Camp YOLO (You Only Live Once)
Now in its 12th year, Camp YOLO addresses the unique challenges faced by adolescents living with cancer, renal, cardiac or HIV-related illnesses. While most teens are worrying about acne, getting a ride to the mall or how many text messages they can send, teens with serious illnesses are confronting very real life or death issues and seemingly unending hospital routines. Yet, for two weekends each year, these young people have the chance to rejuvenate with others who understand their struggles, anxieties and fears. By the end of a fun packed and emotion filled weekend, campers leave knowing they are not alone and they have what it takes to keep fighting their illness and face the challenges that life sends their way.

Family Camp
In February 2009, Periwinkle held its first Family Camp for families of children challenged by cancer or blood disorders. Family Camp allows families to get away from the hospital routine, to forget about their child’s illness, to have a fun weekend and create cherished family memories and to meet other families who understand the stresses they are experiencing due to a child’s diagnosis.


Long Term Survivor Program

Older teen and young adult survivors who have previously participated in our programs are empowered to help develop and implement the Long Term Survivor Program with the support of Periwinkle staff and board members. The program includes a yearly retreat and opportunities for long term survivors to get together to share experiences, learn life skills and give back to the cancer community.