Losing two grandparents to cancer before entering high school can be a tough situation for any child to live through. But that is exactly the scenario Sacramento State senior volleyball player Alex Diemer found herself dealing with. 

Despite having lost her grandparents to cancer, Diemer will spend a week in June serving as a volunteer at Camp Okizu in Novato, Calif. The camp, which was founded in 1982, has spent the last 30 years supporting children diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

 “I spent a long time being really bitter toward it,” Diemer said with reference to the disease. “But I know that (my grandparents) would want me to do something like this – to make a difference in a kid’s life. And to try and give them hope or encouragement or whatever they need.”

 According to the National Childhood Cancer Association, one out of every four elementary schools in the nation has a child enrolled who has been diagnosed with cancer. Roughly 50 percent of the children with cancer living in the western world survive the disease by treating it to remission via methods like surgery or chemotherapy. 

The other half will never see adulthood.

 Diemer said these are the type of statistics motivating her to volunteer at the camp.

 “I’ve always known that I want to work with kids,” Diemer said. “But the last couple years I’ve been drawn to atypical kids – kids who don’t experience a normal childhood.”

 Diemer’s mother, Mindi Diemer, said she is incredibly proud of her daughter’s decision to provide support to these children. 

“I’m happy that she has the desire to do it and that she has the courage to do it,” Mindi Diemer said. “A lot of times people who are in situations like that don’t have a lot of normalcy around them. Hopefully this camp will be an experience where they do get to be quote-unquote normal.” 

Camp co-founder John Bell said volunteers like Diemer are what keep Camp Okizu running.

 “Without (volunteers), this program couldn’t go,” Bell said. “As it is, I’m sure it’s no secret to anybody that it’s hard to get money these days for non-profits. We would not exist if we had to pay them.”

 Diemer said it’s not about money anyway, but it is all about finding a greater purpose in life by helping these children press on in their fight.

 “I’ve learned that I can do things off the court that make a bigger difference,” Diemer said. “I’m not Tim Tebow. I’m not hoping they want my autograph or anything, but I hope that I can make a difference.” 

Bell said counselors like Diemer most certainly do make a difference. He shared some words spoken to him by a child who once attended Camp Okizu and later went on to grow up and become a doctor:

 “Strengthening the life around us, strengthens the life within us.”

David Somers can be reached at [email protected].