George Lopez signs an autograph for 11-year-old Kenneth Juarez, left, as Ann and George Lopez attend The Ann & George Lopez Foundation California Children’s Summer Camp, a new partnership with The Painted Turtle in Lake Hughes, CA. The summer program welcomes young kidney patients to experience a week of activities, while still receiving on-site medical treatment for their needs. PHIL MCCARTEN / AP IMAGES FOR ANN & GEORGE LOPEZ FOUNDATION

The Ann and George Lopez Foundation has launched the Kidney Disease and Transplant Summer Camp Session, a new partnership with The Painted Turtle at Lake Hughes, CA.

The summer program welcomes young kidney patients to experience a week of activities, while still receiving onsite medical treatment for their needs. Ann and George Lopez visited the camp on Thursday, June 24 to meet with the children currently enrolled in the program.

Commenting on the program, Ann and George Lopez said, "We're excited that our Foundation is partnering with The Painted Turtle to launch this new summer camp program. The opportunities and experiences created here for children allow them to become more independent and selfconfident while providing them the ability to live a normal life."

The California Children's Summer Camp is designed to free patients from the burden that normally accompanies their disease and its treatment. Transplant recipients and general nephrology patients, ages 9 through 16, are given the opportunity to attend the camp. A fully equipped medical facility is created on-site where children dialyze and receive their treatment.

Physicians, nurses, and social workers donate their time and provide around-theclock medical attention so that those attending can relax, have fun and enjoy a true camping experience complete with swimming, arts and crafts and horseback riding.

The program also offers children a scenic wilderness setting and the opportunity to learn and grow with their peers.

The Ann and George Lopez Foundation assists underprivileged children and adults confronting challenges in education and health, and to increase awareness of kidney disease and organ donation.

George Lopez received a transplanted kidney from his wife Anne in 2005.

For more information visit www.lopezfoundation.org or www.georgelopez.com/.