The Melonhead Foundation,Inc.
Camp Wannahealyah
P.O. Box 1333
Scottsdale, AZ 85252-1333
Phone: (480) 985-1088
E-mail: debleone@cox.net
Last updated: October 11, 2003
Camp Wannahealyah
Newsletters
March 28, 2002 - Mesa, AZ
August 4, 2002 - Jerome, AZ
Camp Wannahealyah Mesa
Hello from The Melonhead Foundation.
I am so very happy to share a recent major development in creating the
third aspect of The Melonhead Foundation...Camp Wannahealyah.
In August of 2000 the camp took on the template of being a "healing
home environment". It was revealed to me through my daily meditations,
with the help of supportive colleagues, that I could easily create the
camp in a Bed & Breakfast type environment. My past experience working
in B & B's had been my training. What better setting for children
needing to heal on levels, emotional and mental as well as
physical,
to come with their families to receive natural healing modalities and
to learn how to implement these on a daily basis. The camps, because this
template can be easily created many times over in different places, would
bring healing through the warmth of home, meals around a family table,
gardening, nature walks, pretty much old fashioned family values...a simpler,
less complicated setting. The camps would be able to accommodate 3 or
4 families at a time, for personal community interaction. So many aspects
are vital to heal naturally and this setting would be ideal...or so I
thought as the inspiration was revealed.
It was this concept that was proposed to Mr. Paul Newman in my grant application
and which he endorsed with his grant of $5,000. Then it was business as
usual with this dream in my heart and a daily intention to be shown the
way.
In November 2001, I was given an opportunity to rent my sister and brother-in-laws
home in east Mesa. It is a large home, with more than enough space for
Veronica and I. The house sits on over 2 acres in the beautiful desert,
surrounded by Sahuaro cactus and natural desert landscaping. This house
accommodated not only our living needs, but my healing practice and there
was still room left over. One large room was converted into the "crafting"
room for Camp Wannahealyah. With the help of board members and volunteers
we created many craft items (look for them on the website) to be sold
at boutiques to raise funds specifically for Camp Wannahealyah. Lots of
items that had been collected in hopes of starting camp were unpacked
and displayed. This energy placed behind the vision of the healing home
Camp Wannahealyah's began to take shape.
In December, one of our patient families that had received financial support
during their process came to me and asked if I had any information on
natural healing that might help their child!! Hmmmm..could this be divine
source in action?? We met, mother, daughter and I and we had a consultation
and a complimentary healing session. This young seven year old, nearly
eight, was a year post bone marrow transplant. By all accounts the marrow
had grafted, the leukemia was arrested (Dr.'s say gone) and the body should
be healed...but it was not. This courageous young girl weighed only 40
lbs., was vomiting daily, and was not eating. A bone marrow aspiration
showed all cells clear and a stomach scope showed no problems. Mom and
Dad were at the end of the road. Enter divine intervention. In a quiet
moment inspiration struck and a proposal was made and a prototype created.
I knew the Universe had placed us in this home for a reason other than
shelter...because my experience has taught me there are no accidents.
With the energy and hope I had put behind Camp Wannahealyah and an endorsement
from Paul Newman, the next step was obvious. With the consent of the family,
permission from the board and blessings from the Universe, it seems obvious
that it was time to create a prototype of camp to see if the vision was
true, the dream could become a reality and if the theory would hold water.
And what better setting than slowly but surly with baby steps.
Here's how it went. For four weekends during the month of February I would
implement Camp Wannahealyah in my home. The funds granted by Mr. Newman
for the project were used (and it only took a small percentage), volunteers
were recruited, procedures were created and protocols were designed. On
Friday night after work the family arrived. Camp began with a lovely family
meal and shared conversation around the table. Our young visitor
(pictured here in pink) experienced
a healing session, some fun activity and then
snuggled into the private
guest room. Mom or Dad, they alternated weekends, could then experience
their own healing session and were taught healing techniques they could
use at home on a daily basis with their daughter. Saturday's and Sundays
were balanced with a morning focus, Tai Chi, craft projects, nature walks,
healing sessions, cooking activities and free time. Gretchen graciously
donated a day each weekend to come out and do an organized craft activity
with the family and her own 5 year old Phillip joined in. There was much
laughter, which both Mom & Dad said they hadn't heard in years. Their
daughter was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3 years old...this journey
was now 5 years long for them. Sara graciously donated one day each weekend
to come out and give a Yoga class designed with healing the areas our
patient was struggling with. WE all participated and more laughter ensued...I
have photos! Don, the Reiki Master, graciously donated a session to both
Mom & Dad to teach them the art of Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing
art, so they could use this healing work for their child and themselves.
Others volunteered their services to cook meals, do cooking projects and
to spend time with this remarkable family. WE even had a horseback riding
day with the generosity of our friends the Kaffer's. Doug and his children
joined in to saddle up their beautiful paint pony and we all got to ride.The
healing sessions which I facilitated for my new friend included energy
work, chakra balancing, KOFUTU, accupressure, Chinese Medicine and emotional
trauma release therapy. I also received guidance and input from my friend
& intuitive consultant in Iowa, Rachel Gordon ( which as always was
right on).
To say the camp was a success is an understatement. It was a divine and
moving experience for all of us and we felt graced to be a part of something
so grand. There is not enough time or space to express all that went on,
but I think you have a pretty good picture. By the end of four weeks our
young patient had gained 6 pounds, had stopped vomiting, her Dad had tapered
her off some pretty heavy medications including Morphine, she had gone
from taking about 8 pills a day to 2 and Dad was anticipating those to
be eliminated in the near future.A few bugs were worked out of the system
in this prototype, but I am happy to report that the theory was nearly
flawless.
So now what does all this mean? The Melonhead Foundation is ready to implement
the first Camp Wannahealyah on a permanent level. Once again I am asking
for your love, help and support. If it is meant to be it will come together
easily, effortlessly and with great benefits for all concerned. My family
have now sold this property...which I took to mean that they have served
this dream in a huge way and now things can move forward. To manifest
the camp to its fullest potential the foundation will need land, or a
home, a large grant, volunteers, and donations on all levels, not to mention
the easy part: prayers and loving energy.
Thank you for allowing me to share this creation with you. Please pass
this information along to all your friends who have been supporting The
Melonhead Foundation. Let them know the dream has been progressing and
is a real, viable entity and a definite avenue to bring Love & Light
onto this planet through charity and healing. When we put energy behind
a creation collectively it has more power and more chance to manifest.
If this is truly a divinely guided project, with this public broadcast,
it will continue to grow and serve the needs of pediatric cancer patients
and their families seeking natural healing as part of their process.
Thank you all for your help, I am grateful.
I am closing with an excerpt from an email sent to me by the Mom.
"Tell the group tonight on our behalf, the DePas family THANKS THE MELONHEAD GANG for the wonderful experience of being your pilot family
for the first CampWantToHealYah. It CHANGED our lives. I truly believe
Keelin would not be on the positive HEALING process she is today had it
not been for you and your wonderful foundation. I find myself almost daily
sharing my experience to various people I come into contact with thru-out
my daily living, and I describe you as a gift from God, facilitator of
our miracle. Keelin has done a 180 degree turnaround in such a dramatic way,
I can't describe it as anything less than a miracle. It also changed my
life too. What a bonus !!! (I don't speak for Paul directly but from
what I
can see he is grateful for Keelin's improvement as well, he acknowledges
Keelin's positive progress)"
With grateful heart,
Deb Leone
Hello,
Thank you for allowing me to share with you the grand experience that
was Camp Wannahealyah Jerome. The Melonhead Foundation with the help of
Mr. Paul Newman, Dee Robbins, Pat Jacobs, John Haney and Connie Antonsanti
funded this outing for the Jager family of Roswell, N.M.
As with the first camp the entire creation was impeccable. Our patient
Austhan (pictured here) and his mom, Kaarinna,
arrived in Jerome on Sunday evening July
21. Andrea Prince, proprietor of The Surgeon's House B&B hosted us
and all of the out of town volunteers. This camp session validated the
vision of a permanent camp, in a similar "healing home" setting.
I am graced to be a part of such a unique and divinely guided project.
For Austhan and Kaarinna, (older brother Risun opted to remain in N.M.),"
the treatment was royal", to quote young Austhan. They were "treated"
to a Verde Canyon Railroad trip, a private jeep tour, photographic art
classes, massage and yoga. They also experienced one on one healing sessions
covering a myriad of natural healing techniques including Chinese Medicine,
Emotional Trauma Release Therapy, Aromatherapy, healing with Sound, Color
and Movement, Past Life Regression Therapy, and much more.
The setting was perfect and having the family with us in a healing environment
for eight straight days allowed for the intensive healing work to be uninterrupted. Each
morning, the entire group, including all volunteers from healers to chefs,
joined in the gardens for a group session of meditation and healing. After
sumptuous breakfasts prepared by volunteer chefs Austhan and Kaarinna,
we
had private healing sessions. Nap time was available if needed by Austhan,
then lunch and free time for outings or art activities.
The Universe also cooperated by sending glorious rain storms and beautiful
rainbows, plus clear nighttime skies for all to witness shooting stars. It
was obvious that being in a beautiful, natural setting will support the
work of the camp.
There are not enough words to thank all the volunteers, but I am going
to try, for it was a true blessing for my work that all these people gave
of their time and talent to help create a successful and healing experience
for the Jagers.
In addition to donating her home, Andrea also took on chef duties for
3 days. Dee Robbins also cooked for 3 days and coordinated all the menus
and food shopping prior to our week. Charlene Cullon was our third chef
spending 3 days in the kitchen, which was no small feat. Terri & Chad
Hernandez were the interim cleaning crew and spent four days on KP and
household maid service, plus being good company for Austhan (Chad is 11
and a male). I was concerned that Austhan, having lost his father at age
one, might want some masculine company...as usual the Universe provided.
I do believe he did enjoy all the surrogate mothers too!!!! Gary Bass,
a local musician and artist, spent 2 days at camp providing a photo art
activity for Austhan. Photography and films are Austhan's interests/hobbies/future
careers. Bernadette donated a full massage for Austhan when he revealed
that massage was one of his favorites. Robin Breen
of the
Verde Canyon
RR donated six passes for our train ride experience and Clay Miller donated
his personal jeep tour. Sara Eto, our yoga master, facilitated two group
sessions for us and assisted in a private healing session for Austhan. Gretchen
McDowell and Philip were on KP duty and Gretchen created a journaling
art class for both Austhan and Kaarinna. Joy Beard facilitated a tour
of the local Douglas mansion for the family. Joy, Sara and Gretchen also
cleaned the entire B&B on the last day. Cate Mugasis, Andrea's gardener extraordinaire, graced us with a nature lesson,
an herbal scavenger hunt from
which we made herbal shampoo and experienced healing clay packs. Every
class, project and each volunteer were incredible.
Local merchants were also very generous. The Jerome Brewery, English Kitchen
and The Asylum all donated lunch during the week of camp.
Safeway contributed
$60 in food certificates, both from Phoenix and the Cottonwood store.
The environment, as usual, was filled with blessings, magic and miracles;
something I have come to expect as The Melonhead Foundation continues
its work. In the midst of all the healing and fun we were visited by several
of nature's creatures. All serving as great messenger's. Bats flew over
at night, lizards graced the trees, frogs serenaded in the evening hours
and Austhan's favorite was a four point buck who nestled close to his
private cottage and watched over us as we had yoga class in the gardens.
I myself was visited by a wolf and a doe in the early morning hours.
The energy was high and the grace and beauty of mother nature were healing.
The sense of family and giving were evident in all aspects of the everyday
activities. The theory and vision were proven accurate. Space and time
do not allow for more information, however I wanted all of you to know
that your presence was felt and the camp was divine.
I am blessed to have so many and so much in support of this creation.
Thank you all for your help and support and prayers. It is time now to
go forward and manifest the first permanent Camp Wannahealyah. Please
offer intentions that The Melonhead Foundation receive the financial support,
land and materials to manifest this into reality.
I cannot speak for Austhan or Kaarinna, but from a healers perspective
and the creator of the dream, Camp Wannahealyah Jerome was a huge success
and a great blessing for all involved.
Thank you and bless you,
Deb Leone