Message of hope in Bluebonnet Retreat

For Donna Crawford this year has a special meaning. It marks 31 years since her cervical cancer diagnosis and 19 years since she battled breast cancer. Added together this year marks 50 years of surviving cancer for Crawford.

So how is she celebrating? She’s packing her bags for the Bluebonnet Retreat. The Bluebonnet Retreat is an adult camp experience for cancer patients and survivors, the only of its kind in North Texas. The retreat is held each spring and fall and is funded by private donations as a special project of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford.

Crawford has attended the retreat as a counselor since 2000. She even got her husband involved and now he’s a counselor too. Each year counselors are paired with campers, other adults who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past five years.

“I’m honored they keep asking me back,” Crawford said. “My favorite part is meeting brand new survivors and seeing lots of friends I’ve met at the retreat over the years. We make the best friends.”

Crawford recalls the feeling she had when she was diagnosed with cancer all those years ago.

“You totally blank out everything else in the world,” Crawford said. Experiences like the Bluebonnet retreat help individuals better process their diagnosis and experience the bonds of support from others who have walked in their shoes. The camp combines information sessions with a physician alongside activities like a band on Friday night, arts and crafts, time for sharing, relaxation time and of course lots of good food and new friends, she said.

In typical fashion, Crawford isn’t just celebrating this personally. She’s come up with a way to inspire the other 58 campers and counselors going on the Bluebonnet Retreat. During the start of camp she plans to pass out gold stars with the words hope and celebrate on them to provide inspiration to others.

“Donna is such a special lady,” said Alice Landers, vice president of Operations & Support Services for Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. “Her positive spirit and sense of humor is infectious and helps offer hope and direction for others attending the retreat. She’s truly a blessing to have around and we’re always thrilled to see her show up each time.”