By Alfonso Ruvalcaba Trujillo | WISHTV

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)–Innovative Hematology is offering a summer camp experience for children and teens with blood disorders, ensuring they can enjoy the outdoors with proper medical support.

The camp, held in partnership with Camp Crosley, has been running for 30 years and provides a traditional camp experience with the added benefit of a full medical team on-site to support campers with conditions like hemophilia.

“We want our kids with blood issues to be able to just go to a regular camp,” Jen Maahs from Innovative Hematology mentions.

The camp allows children to participate in regular camp activities while having access to medical professionals who can address their unique needs. This setup provides peace of mind to parents, knowing their children are well taken care of.

Drew Bergman, a camper who has attended the camp five times, shared that his favorite part is making friends and realizing he is not alone in having hemophilia. “You realize that you’re not the only one in your friend group that has hemophilia,” he said.

The camp also focuses on teaching campers how to manage their condition, including self-infusing medication. Campers receive awards called the ‘big stick,’ which is engraved and serves as a trophy for their achievements in managing their health.

Maahs explained that the camp includes a multidisciplinary team, including physical therapists and social workers, to ensure comprehensive care for the campers.

The camp provides a unique opportunity for children with blood disorders to enjoy summer camp activities while learning to manage their health in a supportive environment. Drew encourages other kids to attend, saying, “Because everything you do there is fun.”