According to the American Cancer Society, nearly two million people were diagnosed with cancer in the US in 2021 — with thousands of them estimated to be parents of minor children. Children whose parents have cancer react to the diagnosis in various ways.

Multiple studies show that children dealing with a parent’s cancer diagnosis have a higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems, like depression and anxiety. Several factors — the disruption of daily routines, changing household roles, financial stress, and a parent’s physical and emotional availability — are contributing aspects.

Although each child might react differently, common issues might also include difficulties in school and other social settings and regressive behavior. For some children, reactions can indicate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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There’s extensive information available about how mentors make a significant difference in the lives of their mentees. However, the mentoring relationship is a two-way street, and serving as a mentor in a peer-led organization can profoundly impact the lives of both the mentor and the mentee.

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First and foremost, mentors can ensure that children dealing with a parent with cancer don’t feel alone. Regardless of their situation — dealing with a recently diagnosed parent, one undergoing treatment, a parent who’s a cancer survivor, or the pain of coping with the loss of a parent due to cancer — a mentor will provide support.

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A cancer diagnosis turns everyone’s world into a tailspin. Fortunately, there are ways to help children cope with cancer's emotional, psychological, and social impact.

As we build our team ahead of the runDisney races, we can’t help but admire the incredible stories of our Team Kesem participants. 

One thing is for sure—there is nothing quite like the positive impact that a summer of Camp Kesem leaves on every member of our community.

As we kick off this year’s cycle of national event galas, we want to highlight the special moments we saw during the Magic Ball Boston and Magic Ball Chicago.

As we prepare for our first summer back to in-person camp in 2 years, we’re doing a deep dive into the why behind some of the new things you will see!