Our Mission

To provide pediatric cancer patients, survivors and their supporters with the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from complimentary and medically-sound programs that foster joy, dignity, and friendship.

Our Core Values

  • By supporting one another, we create an environment of belonging and move forward with faith in the impact we can create together.

  • We are guided by hope and energized by joy even in the face of uncertainty.

  • We practice acceptance and understanding, creating a culture where our community feels safe and valued.

  • By meeting needs with care, humility and compassion, we create a wave of giving back.

Eve Ruthfield

Dr. Athena Pefkarou

UOTS’ Herstory

The United Order of True Sisters (U.O.T.S.) was organized at Temple Emanu-El in New York City, where it held its first meeting on April 25, 1846. Created as a female counterpart to B’nai B’rith, U.O.T.S. grew into what is recognized as the first independent national women’s organization in the United States. From the beginning, its members were committed to philanthropy, mutual support, and service to others, with a mission centered on raising funds for cancer research and supporting patients and families affected by cancer.

This legacy carried to Miami through their Miami Chapter #43, which spent 47 years supporting Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and its pediatric cancer program. Over time, the chapter helped fund direct patient care, equipment, facilities, research, and a bone marrow transplant center, raising millions of dollars in support of children and families.

In 1991, Eve Ruthfield, president of U.O.T.S.—Miami #43, founded Camp UOTS® with the encouragement, persistence, and leadership of Dr. Athena Pefkarou, who agreed to help run the camp and has continued guiding it for more than 20 years. Her ongoing leadership has helped preserve Eve’s original vision of a safe, joyful place where children affected by cancer can simply enjoy being kids.

Early support came from the fellow U.O.T.S. sisters, dedicated parents and hospital staff. Most notably, the founding team was comprised of the following members:

  • Giselle Morales

  • Nancy Schleifer

  • The Velez Family

  • Carol Montiel

  • Maria Campbell and

  • Dr. John Fort

Although U.O.T.S.—Miami #43 has since dissolved, its legacy continues each summer through Camp UOTS and the generations of campers, families, volunteers, and survivors it has touched.

Giselle Morales, and her son, T.J.

Meet T.J.

At just 3 years old, Miami-born Antonio Morales (also known as T.J.) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and later became known as our very first camper. He spent four years undergoing intensive treatment, yet he never lost his love of fun or family. A Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World gave his family a rare chance to simply enjoy being together, inspiring his mother, the late educator Giselle Morales, to ask:

“Why can’t we create this kind of joy for kids every summer?”

From that question, Giselle and her husband Tony helped spark the idea that became Camp UOTS®, a free sleep-away camp where children facing cancer can make memories filled with friendship, laughter, and hope.

Today, that vision lives on each summer, when our close-knit crew of working survivors and volunteers gather in Miami to inspire and mentor a new generation of survivors through hands-on activities, bold adventures, and the kind of relationship-building that only happens when you’re unplugged from technology, and surrounded by people who believe in your spark.