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Meyer Tool Supports Camp Kesem Illinois
August 28, 2014
Camp Kesem
With 1.7 million cancer cases per year in the United States, there are more than 3 million kids with a parent who currently has, has had, or sadly, has passed away from cancer. When a parent receives this diagnosis, the entire family is affected. For their children, the joys of childhood are replaced with a new reality of cancer vocabulary, treatments and fears. Because they are neither physically ill nor visibly distinct from other children, these children often suffer quietly, leading to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem and depression.
My dear friend Brian succumbed to cancer when his pride and joy, his triplet children, were freshmen in college. While there, his daughter Brittney discovered Camp Kesem Illinois, a University of Illinois student-run summer camp dedicated to providing emotional support for kids ages 6 – 16 whose parents have or have had cancer. Already too old to be a camper, she was eligible to work as one of the camp counselors. Today, she is part of the Camp Kesem Illinois executive board where she participates in leading a team of her peers, including her brother Cory, in their year-long effort to launch next summer’s camp.
As the only national organization that recognizes and embraces this often overlooked population of kids, Camp Kesem's mission is two-fold: First they provide children affected by a parent's cancer with a supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs. Second, they strive to empower college students to make a difference and build invaluable leadership skills by developing and managing every aspect of their Camp Kesem chapter. However, those involved would challenge that the organization’s impact stretches far beyond their original mission. Camp Kesem actively changes the lives of campers, counselors, and families by giving participants a forum to speak their mind. Children and counselors alike share a cathartic week of fun, excitement, and adventure while also sharing the fears and pain caused by cancer with a new-found family in which they can trust. When life doesn't seem to listen or care about the cancerous weight these children bear, Camp Kesem is here.
In fall 2014, Camp Kesem will have 62 chapters around the United States. Each chapter is run by college students at the university host. Like Brittney and Cory, students plan and fund raise all year long to provide these camps entirely free of charge so as not to place additional financial strain on families coping with cancer. Unfortunately, their third sibling, Becca, has not had the opportunity to participate in Camp Kesem because there is not yet a chapter at her school. But Camp Kesem is growing in number and there is the opportunity to start Camp Kesem at other campus’.
What does Kesem mean?
Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew. The founders of Camp Kesem chose Kesem because their goal was to bring magic to families coping with cancer. More recently, they’ve developed a more detailed definition of what Kesem means:
Kesem (n.): magic; the ability to change a life; an agent of growth; the unique power that transforms kids into Camp Kesem Campers.
Family meant everything to my friend Brian and to those who know his wife and children, his positive influence is obvious. I know he continues to be so proud of them for the amazing impact they are having on the world around them. Family is just as important to all of us at Meyer Tool and we are proud to have volunteered at the fundraising golf outing Brittney, Cory and other student leaders organized on behalf of Camp Kesem Illinois, as well as provide financial support that goes directly toward enabling more children to participate in their second family, the Camp Kesem family.
For more information:
My dear friend Brian succumbed to cancer when his pride and joy, his triplet children, were freshmen in college. While there, his daughter Brittney discovered Camp Kesem Illinois, a University of Illinois student-run summer camp dedicated to providing emotional support for kids ages 6 – 16 whose parents have or have had cancer. Already too old to be a camper, she was eligible to work as one of the camp counselors. Today, she is part of the Camp Kesem Illinois executive board where she participates in leading a team of her peers, including her brother Cory, in their year-long effort to launch next summer’s camp.
As the only national organization that recognizes and embraces this often overlooked population of kids, Camp Kesem's mission is two-fold: First they provide children affected by a parent's cancer with a supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs. Second, they strive to empower college students to make a difference and build invaluable leadership skills by developing and managing every aspect of their Camp Kesem chapter. However, those involved would challenge that the organization’s impact stretches far beyond their original mission. Camp Kesem actively changes the lives of campers, counselors, and families by giving participants a forum to speak their mind. Children and counselors alike share a cathartic week of fun, excitement, and adventure while also sharing the fears and pain caused by cancer with a new-found family in which they can trust. When life doesn't seem to listen or care about the cancerous weight these children bear, Camp Kesem is here.
In fall 2014, Camp Kesem will have 62 chapters around the United States. Each chapter is run by college students at the university host. Like Brittney and Cory, students plan and fund raise all year long to provide these camps entirely free of charge so as not to place additional financial strain on families coping with cancer. Unfortunately, their third sibling, Becca, has not had the opportunity to participate in Camp Kesem because there is not yet a chapter at her school. But Camp Kesem is growing in number and there is the opportunity to start Camp Kesem at other campus’.
What does Kesem mean?
Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew. The founders of Camp Kesem chose Kesem because their goal was to bring magic to families coping with cancer. More recently, they’ve developed a more detailed definition of what Kesem means:
Kesem (n.): magic; the ability to change a life; an agent of growth; the unique power that transforms kids into Camp Kesem Campers.
Family meant everything to my friend Brian and to those who know his wife and children, his positive influence is obvious. I know he continues to be so proud of them for the amazing impact they are having on the world around them. Family is just as important to all of us at Meyer Tool and we are proud to have volunteered at the fundraising golf outing Brittney, Cory and other student leaders organized on behalf of Camp Kesem Illinois, as well as provide financial support that goes directly toward enabling more children to participate in their second family, the Camp Kesem family.
For more information:
- Watch the Camp Kesem Illinois video.
- Find out more at campkesem.org.
- E-mail at [email protected]
- Call 1-847-231-2379
Brittney (right) with Camp Kesem student volunteers & Brian's brother Ron (center) at golf fundraiser.
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Meyer Tool President, Eileen, with other volunteers at golf fundraiser
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