We're excited to launch a permanent collection of stories for our community to share.
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“Joy was such a foundation in my life and my mom’s life and my dad’s life and so to find a place like Kesem where I got to meet other people who could also find joy in hard times was one of the greatest things I could have ever been part of.”
- Kuu Sanford, Kesem alumna and camper at the very first Camp Kesem
In June 2026, Kesem CEO Jay Stilwell and Kesem alumna Kuu Sanford joined Trevor Maxwell for an episode of his Man Up to Cancer (MUTC) podcast.
Trevor, a stage IV colon cancer survivor, hosts the Man Up to Cancer podcast to share a message with other men: You don't have to go through cancer alone. MUTC features raw, unfiltered conversations about men, cancer, and their experiences. But much like Kesem, Trevor also approaches these tough topics with joy, laughter, and fun. In 2023, Trevor saw this come to life when his 15-year-old daughter attended Camp Kesem. She was an older camper, but the experience had a profound impact on her. Her camp name was Ivy, and yes, it’s a Taylor Swift reference.
Jay Stilwell is a camper parent first and foremost. He found Kesem after losing his wife to cancer. His daughter was six years old at the time, and first attended Camp Kesem when she was seven. Jay now leads the organization’s efforts to support children impacted by a parent’s cancer as CEO. He is also a former Kesem Board Chair and longtime mission champion.
Kuu Sanford attended the very first Camp Kesem at age seven as a child impacted by a parent’s cancer and later returned as a counselor. Now an entrepreneur and founder, Kuu credits Kesem with shaping her confidence, resilience, friendships, and lifelong commitment to supporting others.
As we celebrate this year’s milestone 25th summer of camp, hear from Kuu about that first summer at Camp Kesem, and from Jay about how Kesem continues to grow and help thousands of kids continue to find joy and community. And, because both Man Up to Cancer and Kesem see the value of balancing the heavy with the light, stick around to the end for Sailor Moon costume ideas, pig hats, and whether pineapple belongs on pizza.
“[At Kesem], you walk into this magical place of people who understand you, people who are smiling even though hard things are happening. It’s set up for every single thing to be fun.”
- Kuu Sanford
Listen to the episode below, on the Man Up to Cancer website, or anywhere else you find podcasts.
Want to meet Jay and Kuu in person? Join Kesem at San Francisco Night Magic or the LA Magic Makers Ball this fall, where both will be featured as event speakers. Learn more and buy tickets for these special events.
We're excited to launch a permanent collection of stories for our community to share.
