ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The ‘ultimate campout’ took over the Titletown District Friday night.
Childhood cancer patients and their families enjoyed a fun-filled evening, which included a special visit from former Packers wide receiver Donald Driver.
“If we can touch lives, that is what it’s all about,” said Driver.
About 150 people from across the country were spending the night on Titletown’s football field.
Northwestern Mutual teamed up with the Green Bay Packers to offer the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Being with these families is, it’s the best feeling,” said Nora Millies of Hartland. “They’re people who understand what you’re going through. Hugging them, seeing them, and really getting to spend time with them outside of the hospital walls is probably one of the greatest things.”
Millies’ daughter, Harlow, was diagnosed with Leukemia two years ago.
“She has six months left of treatment, so just a few more months to get through and she’ll be in remission,” said Millies.
That day will surely bring smiles, but on this day, they were being brought on by a man known for his, Driver.
“These kids go through the trials and tribulations every day,” said Driver. “They go through the pain and suffering. If for one day we can take that away from them and put a smile on their faces, it’s going to be great.”
Playing catch with the Packers all-time leading receiver certainly helps achieve that. The fun was designed for all ages.
“When a child is diagnosed with childhood cancer it affects the whole family, so they miss out on a lot of family type opportunities that you or I might take advantage of,” said Eric Christophersen, the President of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation.
“It’s heartfelt, you know?” said Driver. “Because they just want to enjoy life and a disease like this takes that away from them. They don’t have a normal life that everyone else has every single day. We want to give them that.”
It’s the second ultimate campout that Northwestern Mutual has held. Last year it was at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
