“The hospital treats the illness. Camp treats the whole child.”
—Paul Newman, founder of Newman’s Own Foundation and SeriousFun Children’s Network
Paul knew what science confirms: positive childhood experiences transform lives, especially for kids with serious illnesses. Dr. Laura Blaisdell, pediatrician, public health, and camp medicine expert, saw the magic of camp firsthand working as a camp medical director for 20 years. After consulting with SeriousFun Children’s Network on re-opening safely during the pandemic, Dr. Laura jumped at the chance to get in on the fun. Now, as SeriousFun’s Chief Medical Officer, she supports the medical leaders of SeriousFun’s 30 camps and programs as they create joy, belonging, and magic for kids with life-altering medical conditions.
Newman’s Own Foundation is proud to name Dr. Laura Blaisdell our Newmanitarian® of the month! Read on to hear how Dr. Laura and SeriousFun turn “no” into “yes” for kids and families.
What is SeriousFun’s “Recipe for Change”?
The name “Serious Fun” actually represents our recipe for change. We’re serious, but we’re also having a lot of fun!
Kids with medical challenges hear “no” so much in their lives. Our job at SeriousFun is to figure out how to say “yes, and…” We do this through modifying a chair on a zip line so that a child can fit the respirator on the chair. We make it so children can get up onto horses. We heat swimming pools so children with sickle cell can swim without going into crisis.
It takes a lot of courage from our teams to do this. We will persistently move forward even when it’s tough to figure out. And at the end of it all is the goal of play and laughter, which is so needed in the world today, and needed especially for these children and families.
Photo courtesy of Camp Boggy Creek
In the spirit of Paul Newman, how are you “raising a little hell” in your community?
We’re raising a little hell by challenging convention. We challenge the convention that these kids are sick and fragile. And keep asking, “Why not? Why can’t we do this?”
We don’t go in disease first. We’re minimizing diseases for kids, while behind the scenes, we’re maximizing our attention as medical professionals.
What is a story from your work at SeriousFun that has stuck with you?
I went to our camp in California, The Painted Turtle, for a Family Weekend session. All the children there had Pulmonary Hypertension, which is a pretty serious disease—we’re talking about oxygen and the ability to breathe.
I stood with a family as they watched their son, Alejandro, climb up to go on the zip line with a long oxygen tube. And then Alejendro starts down the zip line like any child—just laughing, screaming, smiling. And I’m watching the respiratory therapist checking his oxygen levels as she’s running underneath the zip line with the longest oxygen tube I’ve ever seen. And I’m looking over at his family, just shaking their heads at the scene in disbelief. And meanwhile, in front of me stands a world-renowned pediatric cardiologist, an expert in pulmonary hypertension, wearing a lime green tutu, tube socks, and a bucket hat screaming, “Go, go, go, go!”
Watching this scene play out in front of me—it’s audacious! In all the good parts of the word. And at the baseline… it’s just fun. So many things had to happen to be ready for the 40 seconds of complete joy that Alejandro experienced and still talks about today
Alejandro prepares for the zip line at The Painted Turtle, 2025. Photo courtesy of The Painted Turtle.
What brings you joy in your work?
SeriousFun did a research piece on the experience of medical providers at camp. I was so happy to see the research that puts a broader lens on what we do. It’s not just me watching Alejandro—we found that medical providers across the network rediscovered the joy of medicine, gained a renewed sense of purpose, and got a respite from challenging jobs.
What I’m most proud of is that SeriousFun bridges the gap from illness to launching a child into a rich and fulfilling life. Children with serious illness have adverse events in their lives. It’s even more important that these children have access to a positive intervention (beyond medical interventions): resiliency, confidence, friendships. When I think about camp, it’s clearly something we can do to support children. We can make a large impact on the outcomes of children in a really meaningful way.
How can people support SeriousFun?
- Get involved as a medical or non-medical volunteer!
- Donate to support SeriousFun
- Follow on Instagram or Facebook
SeriousFun Children’s Network’s mission is to empower children with serious illnesses and their families to reimagine what is possible by creating inclusive camp and recreational experiences, inspiring confidence and joy, and building community and connection. Learn more at seriousfun.org.
