meet the o'keefes

At the age of 2½, Ella O'Keefe was running a high temperature just before Christmas and began limping with leg pains. Eventually she stopped walking altogether when the pain became too intense. Ella's parents knew something was terribly wrong. After four visits to the hospital, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. The O'Keefe's felt like their whole world had stopped, and life as they knew it was turned upside down.

Ten exhausting months into treatment, her parents knew a break was sorely needed; not just for Ella, but for the whole family. All six family members ventured to Barretstown, the SeriousFun camp in Ireland. The O'Keefe's didn't know what to expect, but were greeted with a warm camp welcome upon arrival and immediately knew they had found a very special place.

For the first time since Ella began treatment, she had the chance to play with children her own age under the watchful eye of a trained staff. It was a joy for Ella and a relief for her parents. Upon her return home, Ella continued to sing her favorite camp songs.

Ella's three brothers, Harry, Jack and Michael, also got to experience Barretstown at a special session for siblings. The boys cut loose and made fast friends with their fellow-campers over camp fun and shared circumstances. For Ella's parents, Barretstown offered a welcome respite; a joyful place where they could laugh and forge bonds with other parents, and a place where they could rest easy knowing that their children could safely experience the joys of childhood despite the disruption the illness had created for their family.

"Ella loved being the center of attention and getting up on that stage in the dining hall and singing and dancing after every meal." - Ella's Mother