Presidents, international leaders, doctors, professional athletes, and countless celebrities have shown their support for Camp Good Days. More museum than workspace, Gary Mervis’ office is overflowing with autographed photos, sports jerseys, plaques, pens, and other countless memorabilia given in tribute to Mervis’ work on behalf of those impacted by cancer and other challenges.
Camp Good Days and Special Times In 1979, Gary’s youngest child, nine-year-old Teddi, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. In typical take-charge fashion, he canvassed the country looking for the best possible medical care. However, it would be another aspect of her disease that he would also ultimately affect. While the surgery, radiation and chemotherapy were heartbreaking, Teddi’s loneliness and isolation were truly devastating. She was the only child in her school with cancer and terribly self-conscious about the side effects of her treatments.
Gary was determined to find a way to help Teddi regain her childhood and to let her know that she was not alone. After seeing a piece on the Today show about a summer camp for kids with cancer in Michigan, Gary was inspired. He tracked down the reporter, who put him in touch with the pediatric oncologist who founded the camp. Gary organized a meeting in Rochester with the Michigan doctor and more than 100 eager friends. The rest is history. The first session of Camp Good Days was held at Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks for 63 campers. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Camp Good Days has a permanent home on Keuka Lake and has hosted more than 41,000 campers from 22 states and 25 countries. This summer more than 1,500 children attended the camp free of charge with the support of more than 550 volunteers and countless donors. Camp Good Days was founded on the promise to return laughter and joy to the lives of children battling cancer and their families, a gift from a father to his daughter that now touches the lives of thousands.
25