Welcome to the Vernie Campbell Life Celebration donation site

Vernie Campbell was filled with compassion for vulnerable people.  Anyone who knew Vernie, knew that she cared deeply and profoundly about the well being of others.  Throughout her life, her inquisitiveness helped her connect to and learn about people with different backgrounds and life experiences. From people living in her community to children living around the world, everyone who met Vernie was touched by her kindness, curiosity, and compassion.

During her lifetime, she established an educational fund for impoverished children and adolescents living in rural Tanzania (where her daughter Liane works and lives).  Through this donation program, named the "Bibi Penzi Program" (a Swahili name honoring Vernie), the Mbeya, Tanzania Children's Clinic has been able to help over 100 vulnerable children successfully return to school to achieve their dreams.

The success of Vernie's"Bibi Penzi" fund allowed it expand to also help support children living with cancer in Tanzania, as well as end-of-life care for children with terminal illnesses.  Recognizing the importance of joy, love, and dignity as a key part of every child's life, the program helps improve the quality of life for dozens of families.  In addition to helping provide life-saving chemotherapy, the "Bibi Penzi Program" also started a Wish Making program to help make our most criticially ill patients' life-affirming wishes come true.  Examples of wish making activities include procurement of special foods/meals, a small desired toy, new clothes such as dresses and shoes, blankets or mattresses, bicycles, radios, and/or phones to allow the child to talk stay connected with their loved ones.

Every year, children and families supported by Vernie's "Bibi Penzi Program" would send her thank you letters, photos, and drawings to Vernie to show their appreciate for her support.  Vernie loved and cherished this communications, as they allowed her to stay connected to the beautiful lives she was helping across the world.    

This program is just one small example of how Vernie's generosity and kindness transformed lives of the people who had the pleasure of knowing her.  She was an inspiration not only to these families, but also to the many staff and colleagues working with her daughter in Tanzania.  We hope this Life Celebration site allows us one more opportunity to honor the spirit, kindness, and generosity of Vernie Campbell. 

"Those we have held in are arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever"

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100% of funds raised through the Vernie Campbell Life Celebration site will go directly to her "Bibi Penzi" fund in Mbeya, Tanzania to support children and adolescents in educational support, chemotherapy, palliative care, and wish making activities. Your gift will help give every child the opportunity for a healthier future.  All donations are tax-deductible (and donors will receive an emailed tax receipt from Texas Children's Hospital).  More information about the program can be found at www.bipai.org/tanzania 

Thank you for your support, and please feel free to comment below if desired.