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photography by anjali pinto After beating thyroid cancer 13 years ago, Blaine Blanchard made a promise to give back to kids with all forms of the disease. Last year, the Thibodaux, Louisiana, native and Streeterville resident made good on that promise with the first Camp Kids Are Kids Chicago, which welcomed 26 children living with cancer for a five-day camp at the Ritz-Carlton (160 E. Pearson St., 312-266- 1000; fourseasons.com/chicagorc). As the former CEO of Belgium-based supplier deSter prepares to welcome 32 campers—who can expect everything from a double-decker bus tour to a boat cruise with Chicago's First Lady during the experience—to the Ritz for this year's camp on August 9–13, Blanchard shares how the four-star retreat is putting joy back in children's lives. You were inspired to create Camp Kids Are Kids after attending Camp Magical Moments in Idaho. Tell us about that experience. Camp Magical Moments was a life-changer. I had wanted to give back to kids with cancer—that was always the goal when I had cancer. [At Camp Magical Moments] the hope, the will, the courage for kids to live is really amazing. How did you get the Ritz-Carlton on board? I know the general manager [Thomas Segesta] well. The day before I left to go to Camp Magical Moments, I told him about the camp. He said, "When you get back, let me know how that went, because my wife, Robin, [and I] want to do that." Little did he know, right? I went there, and on the plane back started envisioning doing it in Chicago. I got back and called my lead counselor, and he said, "You're crazy. Look at [COCA-I, the Children's Oncology Camping Association, International]. You can't develop a camp in a major city." I got him thinking about it, and then Tom called and wanted to know how that experience was. I said I envisioned having a camp at the Ritz bringing [roll- away beds] in, and he stopped me immediately and said, "We can do better than that: We can bring in bunk beds." Tell us about the kids last year. The transformation that the kids made from the time they arrived to the time they left was just amazing—that made my week, the board's week, the volun- teers' week. They came [into camp] very shy, and they were crying behind Mom and Dad. Then, Bo [ Jackson] came in and [said], "Two things: There is no crying, and we're going to have a blast." Being with kids like themselves with whom they can feel comfortable and just be kids—that's why it's Camp Kids Are Kids. It's a win-win: It's a win for the kids, it's a win for the parents and the siblings, and honestly the volunteers probably get the most [from] it. Has any particular story touched you? There was a kid who was struggling; he had cancer but he also was autistic. At Happy Campers With Camp Kids are Kids ChiCago, Blaine Blanchard offers an unforgettable summer experienCe for Children living With CanCer. by meg mathis Blaine Blanchard has partnered with the Ritz-Carlton to give children living with cancer an urban camping experience. continuEd on PagE 76 74 michiganavemag.com PEOPLE Spirit of Generosity