“The Stuff of Magic” Brings Joy to Employees and Kesem Kids

On March 2, 2026, 50 employees at Sanofi’s Cambridge, MA, office stepped away from their desks and headed to the conference room. But this was not just another meeting. 

Sanofi’s event was a hands-on break from everyone’s to-do lists, a time to connect with each other. They were joined by two college students from Kesem’s MIT chapter to stuff 500 Karl the Caterpillar stuffed animals, which will be gifted to kids who are facing a parent’s cancer when they attend Camp Kesem this summer.

Corporate partners, like Sanofi, are supporting Kesem kids by participating in these joyful "The Stuff of Magic" events and creating meaningful employee engagement. As one Sanofi employee shared, “Volunteering at today's [Kesem event] was such a meaningful experience. Knowing that every Karl the Caterpillar we stuffed will be given to a child at summer camp was so special. Thank you, Kesem, for the incredible work you do!"

Who is Karl, and why a caterpillar? Karl is the Camp Kesem logo and so much more. He and his buddy Kai the butterfly represent the transformation Kesem creates for thousands of children every year. “Karl represents the transformative experience that camp provides for our kids. Watching campers open up, gain confidence, and embrace their true selves is a transformation like no other,” shared MIT chapter director Nina “Navy” Petulla. “It is truly incredible the impact that just one week of camp can have on a kid!”

Campers feel this transformation too, and, as they grow up, recognize both the impact on their lives, and a desire to give that same magic to even more kids:

“Kesem is transformative. The person I am now, capable to love deeply and support relentlessly, would not be such if I didn’t have Kesem. I feel that I owe a duty to my Kesem family and to my dad to keep the Kesem magic alive and spread the joy and love that I have because of what Kesem has done for me. The struggles of cancer unite us and provide common ground for amazing things to happen. I want every kid impacted by a parent’s cancer to experience camp and how it changes your life!” 

-Matthew “Alpha” Kitch, former camper and current student volunteer

As we celebrate Kesem’s 25th year of camp in 2026, we’re hoping to gift every child we serve with a Karl this year and for years to come. This special gift will help keep the magic of Kesem alive for every kid, all year long and serve as a constant reminder of the “invisible thread” of the Kesem community. This invisible thread weaves people together long after the last campfire has gone out, because when someone has been a part of Kesem, no matter where they are or how long it’s been, they’re always carrying Kesem with them.

Sanofi employees will soon hand-deliver the stuffed Karls to Kesem chapters in the Boston area. Thanks to Sanofi and Lilly, which held multiple events in Fall 2025, we already have 1,500 Karls ready to go home with campers this summer. But with thousands more campers registered, we need your help to bring more Karls to life!

Ask your company to host “The Stuff of Magic,” or reach out to Trish Conklin to learn more. Because when your company is involved in the community, it shows. "The energy in the room said it all — everyone left inspired, moved, and grateful. The [Kesem] MIT student volunteers reminded us what true community leadership looks like."

Show up for the Kesem chapters near you and your employees by hosting a “Stuff of Magic” event of your own, or reach out to your employer and encourage them to join in the magic.

Contact Trish Conklin to learn more and host an event.