What We Do

We launched The Me-One Foundation in 2007 with a single purpose: To give adult cancer patients and their loved ones a relaxing, enjoyable, three-day family retreat from cancer. This carefree and cost-free retreat, Camp Wieser, gives families the gift of time for quiet reflection, pampering, and fun, a needed vacation from the whirlwind of doctor appointments and paperwork and treatments.

The Camp Wieser Family Retreat

Each summer (with the exception of COVID-19 years 2020 and 2021), Camp Wieser brings together adults who have cancer, along with up to five of their close family members and supporters, for a very special weekend retreat. They enjoy three days of nurturing, rejuvenation, inspiration, and countless moments of joy and laughter. The retreat takes place in a rustic-chic, camp-like setting, with comfortable room accommodations which provide the privacy needed by adult cancer patients, but which also offer many opportunities for inclusion in various enjoyable activities and adventures. Read more about what happens at Camp Wieser.

The Me-One Foundation

We are a non-profit corporation dedicated to a singular mission: providing emotional support, courage, hope, laughter and joy through our Camp Wieser weekend retreats. Our work is 100% run by volunteers. We have a board of directors which receives advice and guidance from oncology professionals. Our mission is supported by a host of organizations and individuals who understand that people fighting cancer deserve a time-out to focus on family and fun, rather than illness. Read more about our history in our Founder’s words.

You Too Can Get Involved!

For us at the Me-One Foundation, all it takes is money and hard work! The activities of the Me-One Foundation are supported entirely by financial and in-kind donations from individuals and sponsors. If you are inspired to support our work financially, please visit our Contribute page. Pick a method of support that works for you. We are drawing up big plans for our future! If you have any questions, first check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or Contact Us directly. We would love to hear from you.

The Me-One Foundation History

When Me-One founder Heidi Wieser returned to Roseville, California after attending a remarkable retreat for adult cancer patients and family members in Southern California, she wondered why so few ports of peace for family respite were available. She and her husband Tom Wieser (a cancer patient at the time) made a commitment to establishing a retreat in Northern California, free to the patient and for up to five of their close family and supporters. And they did just that, under the name Camp Challenge. Heidi lost Tom to cancer, but her work with the Me-One Foundation continues. Today Camp Wieser is one of only a handful of retreats of its kind in the world. Countless numbers of retreats serve very well the needs of youngsters with cancer, but only a few host adult patients and their families at no cost to the family. Read on to learn more from the Me-One Foundation founder.

Our Founder, Heidi M. Wieser RN, in Her Own Words

On July 26, 1979, my father passed away at age 43 after battling cancer for just three months. I was 15. Years later, I watched as my godmother deteriorated during a three-year battle with lung and brain cancer. On February 9, 2004, my high school sweetheart and husband, Tom, was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer at age of 40. At the time, our children were 6, 8, 10 and 12 years old. On March 4, 2005, my husband, whom I had known for more than half my life, was told his disease had progressed to his lungs. Through all of these trials I have learned an extremely valuable lesson. Cancer is not a disease that attacks a single patient. Cancer is a radiant disease. It attacks the one afflicted as well as his or her family and friends. It attacks without regard to race, age or family history. And, making it more terrifying, is the understanding that cancer is random and it never rests. The therapies and treatments cancer patients endure are sometimes more painful than the disease. Surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy not only attack the patient’s body, but also their will to face continued treatment. Patients turn toward any ray of relief offered. Unfortunately, there are far too few ports of peace to meet the demands of the growing numbers of those afflicted with cancer. I am well versed in the pain cancer can bring. I watched my father pass in a matter of months. I made it my life goal to fight against this predator by becoming an oncology nurse’ a position I have held for the past 25 years. I have held the hands of countless patients who were confused as to why this was their fate. I have shared final thoughts with those who were called from this earth in a worried and scared state. In 2013, I lost my husband to cancer after a nine-year battle. In the course of these experiences, I came to the conclusion that my role is to lessen the pain that cancer brings to patients and families. I vowed to create a space that would serve as a port of peace for those who were battling cancer. That solemn vow, made in 2006, was the origin of what is now Camp Wieser.