Camp Kesem

#DonateYourHustle and sport your favorite Kesem gear, too. Visit our official merchandise store via Bonfire for all of the Kesem tees, tanks, and more that you need to stay active and support kids impacted by a parent's cancer. You can shop now at kesem.co/teamkesemstore, and learn more about our month-long wellness and fundraising campaign at kesem.co/teamkesem.

Let's finish strong, Kesem friends. As part of our month-long #TeamKesem Wellness Challenge with our friends at Kilter App, you can earn points and move up our leaderboard for completing daily health and wellness activities AND help support kids impacted by a parent's cancer at the same time - by asking for donations as you earn points, or making a gift yourself. Learn more, #DonateYourHustle, and double your impact: kesem.co/teamkesem.

I gained the confidence to use my voice because I am the only one who can. Known as Jade at Kesem, Keandra Kiki Bryson serves as a Manager, Programs where she supports Regional Program Coordinators and #CampKesem chapters across the country to develop impactful programs for children impacted by a parent's cancer. She has been involved with Kesem as a student leader, alumna, and worked with hundreds of families and student leaders across Northern California since 2014. ...As Kesem’s first Black female staff member, Kiki is proud of showing people that look like me, that Kesem can be a community for them. She has played a prominent role on Kesem’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee, helping to shape and develop DEI Panel and Affinity Group offerings, creating spaces, plans, and programs to better serve our nationwide community at every level of the organization. She is driven by her belief in advocacy; her belief that everyone deserves a space where they are supported, loved, and cared for, and describes herself and her leadership style as empathy-driven with the recognition that folks are human first. As she shares, this allows me to build relationships where we can be transparent with one another which leads to trust, understanding, and support. These values and experiences have ultimately led her to pursue her Master's Degree in social work at the University of Southern California, where she currently studies part-time. How would you describe your style or brand of leadership? How did you grow or change as a leader while volunteering or working with Kesem? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. #WomensHistoryMonth

Camper parent Eric Livingstone joined our #TeamKesem Wellness Challenge as part of his cross-country journey toward healing read more in his own words: Like so many others in our Kesem community, I’ve had to deal with loss due to cancer, depression, and new challenges stemming from the pandemic. Pushing through all of this has built up my resolve and inspired me to do whatever I can, in any small way, to make a positive difference in this world! In 2018, I left my career s...o I could be more present in my son’s life, provide some stability to him, and begin to re-chart our lives. Times had been tough, but then we found #CampKesem. My son went to camp and came back a changed boy...and I had found a new purpose in my life. Thus, Highway2Heal was born. In a few months, Eric is cycling across America to raise awareness and fundraise for more kids impacted by a parent’s cancer. As he shares, riding for this organization, joining Team Kesem, and connecting with other surviving caregivers seems like the natural first step towards healing. And you can join and support Eric on his journey. In case you missed it, we partnered with our friends at Kilter App to host a month-long wellness & fundraising campaign, where participants can earn points every day for completing healthy activities, compete for prizes, and fundraise to support children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. Looking to make a donation? Join us for the last week of the campaign? Shop some exclusive merchandise? Visit kesem.co/teamkesem to learn more and #DonateYourHustle.

Camp Kesem at Santa Clara University student leader, Lisa "Gibberish" Bui thanks our Reunion Campfire sponsors, some incredible friends of Kesem and Bristol Myers Squibb, BTIG, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, The Lyon Family Foundation, Sean D. Biggs Memorial Foundation, and Ventas, Inc. for their incredible support of The Magic Ball and kids impacted by a parent's cancer. As Lisa shares, "One reason why I Kesem is because of community and friendship...we are able to create a lifelong bond between participants, counselors, and other peers." #KesemFamilyReunion

After a year like the one we’ve all experienced, we weren’t sure what to expect this #GivingTuesday. It’s been hardand even harder for the campers and families that we serve. But yesterday, this community came together in a way that we have never seen before. And you proved what we have known and believed in our hearts to be true: Kesem is a place of refuge. Kesem is a place of friendship and support. And Kesem will always be thereno matter what.... This community knows no bounds. Separated by geographic and physical distance, but together in spirit, we raised $2.25 million in 24 hours for kids impacted by a parent’s cancer. There were more than 50,000 donations made, and more than 6,000 active fundraisers from coast-to-coast. We are so humbled by this incredible teamwork and generosityand the tireless dedication to fulfilling our vision that every child facing a parent’s cancer is never alone. Because of YOU, we are one step closer to making that vision a reality, and are able to continue our services of providing life-changing experiences for kids that need the magic of Kesem. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for Kesem. Thank you for our first 20 years, and for the next 20 to come. Thank you for sharing your shine, and for inspiring others to do the same. We wouldn’t be us, without YOU. #ShineOnKesem

Kesem isn't just a place, it's a feeling that we share. In summer 2020, #CampKesem chapters pivoted their in-person summer camp programs to bring the life-changing magic of Kesem home to campers. Packing #KesemAtHome Kits, creating hours of virtual programming, and more - our student leaders proved that our enduring commitment to kids impacted by a parent's cancer has never, and will never change. You can help us ensure that the life-changing magic of Kesem continues in 2021. Help us #ShineOnKesem: donate.kesem.org/donate2021.

You asked, we answered. Our official #GivingTuesday store is live now - featuring limited-edition 20th Anniversary merchandise pieces for kids and adults, plus an exclusive design from our #ShineOnKesem Art Contest winner, Jenna "Roz" Woolums of Camp Kesem at University of Kentucky! Proceeds benefit our nationwide network of summer camp programs. Shop now and make a difference: bitly.com/KesemGT2020Merch.

Kesem friends! We have officially surpassed the $1 MILLION mark on #GivingTuesday! We cannot thank you enough for every donation, every fundraiser, every share, and social media postyou are truly making magic for kids impacted by a parent’s cancer from coast-to-coast. And we’re not done yet. This milestone means we’ve passed the halfway mark to our goalcan you help us cross the finish line? Make a gift and change a life: donate.kesem.org/donate2021 #ShineOnKesem

Kesem has been there for Lucy "Hazelnut" Mautz of Camp Kesem in Utah Valley since her Mom's second breast cancer diagnosis in 2011. "...My Kesem family provided me with much-needed support and normalcy during a time in my life when everything around me was all but normal. When she passed away in 2014, my bond with my Kesem family grew even closer as they were some of the only people who understood exactly what I was dealing with." Since 2018, Hazelnut has been there for Kese...m as a cabin counselor and Operations Coordinator - now offering the same compassion, understanding, friendship, and support to campers that she was offered when she was in their shoes. After a challenging year, she remains committed to supporting kids through and beyond a parent's cancer, no matter what. Our 20th year marked a new chapter in Kesem’s resilience, but more than ever before, we witnessed the generosity of spirit that radiates and reflects off of everyone in the Kesem community. We have witnessed the incredible dedication and passion of those who believe in, and have experienced, the power of transformative friendship. This #GivingTuesday, you have the opportunity to support campers and student leaders like Hazelnut by making a gift at donate.kesem.org/donate2021. #ShineOnKesem