Camp Kesem provides comfort for kids of parents fighting cancer

When a parent gets a cancer diagnosis, children and teens have to grow up early. But Camp Kesem aims to press the pause button and let these kids be kids.

The national camp, which can be found in 42 states, has a local chapter at the University of Washington that works with Puget Sound youth going through the turmoil of a parent’s cancer battle. Being a teenager can be tough enough without that stress at home, and it is hard to find people who can relate, said student volunteer Michaela Todd.

“A lot of times these kids can go into situations feeling very alone, feeling like there’s nobody who really understands what it’s like to have a parent who has cancer,” she told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson.

After a cancer diagnosis in the family, friends sometimes may not know what to say, but Camp Kesem works to close this gap in emotional support.

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“What we do is create a support network of college peers and peers their own age that really help them to build confidence and see that they’re not alone in their situation,” Todd said.

Every year, Camp Kesem invites kids between ages 6 and 18 who have a parent with cancer to spend a carefree week at summer camp, free of charge. This year, nearly 200 kids will attend Camp Koinonia near Cle Elum, where they can enjoy swimming in a lake and pool, staying in cabins, and taking part in the camp highlight on the last day, “Messy Olympics.”

The experience is run by UW student volunteers working as camp counselors, many of whom have been impacted by cancer in their own families, as well as older campers who are part of the Teen Leadership Program.

“It’s such a special place, and it’s really magical to see all of this come together, and to see kids feel so supported and so understood,” Todd said.

The main fundraiser to allow all campers to attend without cost is Camp Kesem’s annual Make the Magic benefit dinner, taking place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Husky Union Building Lyceum. Due to unexpected, last-minute circumstances, the nonprofit is left with an abundance of empty seats to fill in the next 24 hours.

“We’re just trying to fill those seats and make sure that this event makes the most money it can, so that we can support as many kids as possible,” Todd said.

A $65 ticket gets attendees access to a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, drinks, and dessert, as well as complimentary parking on campus. This year’s theme is “expedition” — guests are encouraged to wear safari-inspired outfits.

Throughout the evening, kids who have been part of Camp Kesem will give testimonials on how the experience changed their lives.

“They’re really all searching for that same thing, and that’s that connection and the love and support that Kesem really provides them,” Todd said. “And it gives them an outlet to be able to talk to people about problems that maybe no one else would understand, the emotions they’re feeling, that nobody else really knows what it’s like.”

To buy a ticket or make a donation, click here. If you would like to learn how to volunteer as a part of Camp Kesem or if you know a young person who would qualify for summer camp, email uwashington@campkesem.org.

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