Countdown to RCD!!

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what you need to know

Who is RCD for?

Guests are teens with cancer ages 13-19

  • Currently on treatment or off no more than a year
  • Extra consideration for teens who have been homebound or faced relapse
  • Defer to hospital for who would most benefit

Hosts are teen volunteers who want to help make sure their peers are comfortable and having fun!

Chaperones are adults who keep everyone safe.

  • HoP chaperones are assigned to each hospital group.  They fly with the groups and serve as an adult touch-point for guests and parents.
  • HoP medical staff supervise health and well-being of guests for the week, checking with doctors and parents for special needs, and staffing the “chill” room where basic infirmary and rest needs are met.
  • Hospital chaperones are hospital staff who volunteer to be a familiar adult face for their group.  While HoP prefers one chaperone from each hospital, this is no longer required.

RCD in a Nutshell

July 15-18, 2024

Theme – RCD Saves the Day! 

Accommodations – Omni Riverfront Hotel

Four days and three nights, all-expense-paid VIP trip to New Orleans with other teens with cancer from across the Southeast

Alabama hospital groups will be picked up by motorcoach at their hospitals right after lunch on Monday.  They’ll get home by lunchtime on Thursday.  Louisiana participants will meet directly at the hotel at 3pm on 7/15 and can be picked up at 11am on 7/18.

All other hospital groups will meet Heart of Passion volunteers at their nearest airport the Monday morning and will be picked up at the airport on Thursday afternoon.

RCD is important to me because it was the first time I felt truly comfortable around other people since I got out of the hospital. When I got out, it was like there was a wall between me and the rest of the world, and RCD tore that down, and I haven’t been the same ever since. Red Carpet Day was the first time since my hospital stay that I was able to be open and even comfortable about my disease.
Jacob M.

It’s about more than just having a lot of fun. It’s also about showing that no matter what problems you have in your life it’s ultimately going to work out ‘cause comes down to it we are all brothers and sisters in the end. It’s a great release to have gone through all that one has and still have a place to go where you can be just another one of the gang and be accepted. After going through all I have personally and medically RCD was a huge part of my life, and I don’t think I could ever repay everyone that had a hand in this.
David D.

Brain tumor survivor

Key Dates

Register by June 30!

After you register, you’ll receive an email welcome

We invite you to attend monthly virtual Hangtime with HoP to meet people ahead of time!  Second Wednesday of every month.

By June 30 – confirmed travel logistics provided, chaperones will have connected with parents

July 10 – Virtual welcome to answer any questions / meet our hosts and other guests

July 15-18 – RCD!

RCD 2024 itinerary

RCD 2024 Itinerary

July 15 –

Guests arrive from across the Southeast to a true New Orleans welcome

Get to know everyone!

Dinner at Gumbo Yaya in the French Quarter

Ice Cream Party

July 16 –

Tour of the New Orleans Saints Facility

Dave and Buster’s

Pajama Party and Movie Night

July 17 –

Special Surprise Tour

Various activities throughout French Quarter– do whatchu wanna!

Spa/Makeover Day, Shopping and Touring

Private dinner and sunset dance cruise on the Mississippi River on the Creole Queen River Boat – superhero theme!

July 18 –

Key to the City Ceremony

 Send-off!

Packing list

Packing List

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Three comfortable outfits (for walking around and for the heat!)
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Hats for the sun, if you prefer
  • Your best fit for a superhero themed dance! (still casual – wear whatever makes you feel good!) 
  • Comfortable clothes for sleeping
  • Pajamas – go all out for our pizza pajama party at the movies!  Robes, slippers, curlers, the works!
  • Undergarments
  • Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste) <– TRAVEL SIZE if you are flying!
  • Medications in original bottles
  • Your signed HIPAA authorization form
  • Phone chargers
  • Hotel can get cold – consider a hoodie or blanket
  • OPTIONAL: Spending money

Frequently Asked Questions

How are sleeping arrangements?
Two guests to a hotel room, everyone has their own bed.
Is there a swimming pool?
No, but we have a huge hangout room with games, movies, and snacks for any downtime!  Otherwise, we’ll be busy going all over New Orleans!
When is lights out?
Lights out is 2am the first two nights, with no lights out on the last night.  Planned activities usually end by 10pm each night, after which guests can hangout in the hangout room or relax in their OWN hotel room.
What if I don’t feel well at RCD?
We have a “chill suite” where our volunteer medical staff can make sure you’re healthy and comfortable.  You are always welcome to skip activities to rest.
How much money do I need to bring?
None!  From the minute you start your trip until the minute your parents pick you up, HoP covers every meal, activity, hotel room, and surprise.  That said, we know some people love to shop, so feel free to bring spending money if that’s your joy!
Do families participate?
We know family support is crucial, but this retreat is designed just for the teens to socialize with people their own age.  For this purpose and for our background safety requirements, we do not invite parents or siblings to participate in RCD.

One parent summarized the impact on her child: “Please express our gratitude for your hard work to everyone in your organization. The experience means more to those teenagers and their families than words can express… a real impact on our family. Nothing makes a mother happier than to see her happy child.”

Why should we trust HoP?

We have been running Red Carpet Day retreats since 2002 and have hosted in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and New Orleans.  We’ve been operating continuously in New Orleans since 2011.

Additionally, we are members of the American Camp Association and the Children’s Oncology Camp Association – International.  In 2023 we received our ACA accreditation, and we are in the process of pursuing our Gold Ribbon Camp accreditation with COCA-I.

Thank you for your interest in participating in Red Carpet Day this summer!  We really hope you’ll join us!  If you’re ready to register, visit the form below using the password your hospital gave you.  If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

RCD wasn’t just a retreat for sick children but a healing place for them. It provided inspiration to them to see someone they know healed, a place of comfort and security, It was just a place a group of people united by one cause and could just be them, baldheaded, sick, full of chemo but most of all happy.
Kell T.

Registration

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Contact

Mail

president@heartofpassion.net

Address

203 Chattan Trail

Peachtree City, GA 30269