Why kesem? one parent's story

One Kesem parent’s children were just 7 and 5 years-old when they learned of her husband’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. “It was a scary, sad, and confusing time for all of us. We didn’t know any other families who were going through what we were.”

At Kesem, we believe all children facing a parent’s cancer deserve the chance to fully experience the joys of childhood and be their best selves. Our mission is to support these children through and beyond their parent’s cancer with free, fun-filled creative programs and a lasting community. Kesem provides year-round support to children and families navigating parental cancer, inlcluding our flagship program, Camp Kesem.

"It did our hearts a lot of good to know that they could still be kids despite everything that was happening at home."

That same Kesem parent who once felt scared and alone immediately saw the impact of Kesem on her family. “When we picked our son up from camp the first time, I remember the overwhelming joy that we felt. He was having so much fun, being silly, giving hugs, dancing. It seemed like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

The next year, when both kids attended, my husband was in the hospital. Every night we would sit in the hospital bed and scroll through the pictures of them doing messy Olympics, swimming, doing color wars, and just having so much fun. It did our hearts a lot of good to know that they could still be kids despite everything that was happening at home. My husband died about a month later. At his memorial service, I noticed a row of college students in the back of the room and I wondered who they were. It turns out they were the counselors from Camp Kesem, who had come just to give my kids extra love and support. It was a beautiful gesture for which I will always be grateful.

The following year, when the kids went back to camp, it was the first time since their dad’s death that they were able to talk about it with other kids and counselors. My son in particular opened up in ways that I know were very meaningful to him.”