Tools of the Trade: Goody's Body Shop at the Victory Junction Gang Camp Gets Stocked with Medical Supplies

May 20, 2004 Van loads of bandages, peroxide, aspirin, crutches and other items were delivered to Victory Junction Gang Camp today by volunteers from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Employees from the company's Parsippany, Philadelphia-area, Pittsburgh and Research Triangle Park offices contributed supplies for the "Goody's Body Shop," Victory Junction's medical facility.

Victory Junction, located on 75 acres in Randleman, N.C., is a camp for kids ages 7 to 15 with chronic or life-threatening illnesses that was founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son, Adam, who was killed in a racing accident in 2000.

Shane Orzechowski, Victory Junction Nursing Director (left) and Emily Alfeld, Victory Junction Nurse (second from left), help Goody's and GlaxoSmithKline representatives Dave Stanfield, Kerry Pratt, Jerry Haislep and Susan Thomas unload donated medical supplies for the Goody's Body Shop.

Kids who would normally not be able to attend camp because of their medical conditions can go to Victory Junction because of the unique capabilities of the "Goody's Body Shop" and the onsite medical staff. The facility also makes a trip to the camp doctor fun. Racecar beds serve as exam tables and brightly colored "tool" chests hide medical instruments. The medical staff also wears T-shirts and shorts instead of white lab coats or "scrubs."

The racing-themed camp, which is a member of Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, will host eight disease-specific weeklong sessions this summer. Family and sibling weekend programs will be offered during the rest of the year. At no charge to the family or child, the camp will create experiences that are fun, physically safe and medically sound for kids with hemophilia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, heart/kidney/liver disease, spina bifida, cancer, seizure disorders, severe skin disease, HIV/immune deficiency and burn survivors.

"We're heading into the final laps before our grand opening. The supply donation will help us ensure that when campers arrive, The Goody's Body Shop is prepared for everything from scraped knees to chemotherapy," said Sharon Space, M.D., Victory Junction's Medical Director.

Goody's Headache Powders(R), one of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's brands has had a relationship with the Petty family for more than a quarter century. Richard Petty has been the brand's spokesperson and appeared in its advertising since the 1970s. Goody's was one of Victory Junction's first $1 million sponsors. Its donation to build the Goody's Body Shop extends GSK's involvement with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps to the U.S. For several years, the company has supported camps in Ireland and France.

Some openings for campers are still available for this summer. Parents interested in learning more about the camp or how to apply visit www.victoryjunction.org or call Anna Cox at 336.498.9055 x246