Dane County Parks Partners with the Badger Childhood Cancer Network

June 05, 2015
Chris James Park Planner (608)224-3763 Erika Hotchkiss Marketing and Outreach Coordinator (608)224-3762
Land & Water Resources

Dane County Parks is teaming up again with the Badger Childhood Cancer Network this Sunday, June 7th as a co-sponsor of their annual Kids’ Fishing Day.  The event is held every summer the first Sunday in June on Lake Waubesa out of Goodland County Park and coincides with the Wisconsin DNR free fishing weekend.

“We are fortunate to have some of the best anglers on the Madison chain of lakes volunteer to take these kids out, for many of them it is their only fishing trip of the entire year,” said Chris James, Dane County Park Planner, who has been helping to organize the event since 2010.  “We are also very appreciative of the many local businesses and organizations that are supportive of the event including Madison Fishing Expo, Yahara Fishing Club, Dorn Hardware, Don’s Marine LLC and Xerox Corporation.”

Local volunteer anglers arrive at the park early in the morning to prepare equipment and their boats for a morning of fishing with special partners. The Badger Childhood Cancer Network (BCCN) is an independent, non-profit that has been providing assistance and support to children/teens with cancer and life threatening blood disorders for over 15 years. BCCN coordinates these youths’ participation in the annual fishing event with Dane County Parks.

“Many of the kids and teens we support are currently on active treatment at the American Family Children’s Hospital,” said Susannah Peterson, BCCN Executive Director. Peterson added, “This fishing event is a welcome break from all of the invasive procedures and aggressive treatments our young patients go through on a daily basis.” Families enjoy being outside of a medical setting and in the company of others who are going through similar stressors and challenges. “We are grateful for all of the businesses and the beautiful park that make this special day possible for our kids and families,” Peterson stated.

For more information visit http://www.badgerchildhoodcancer.org/  .