By: Leighanne Jordan
BU students sign up for the 2022-23 Camp Kesem chapter at a meet-and-greet event, Cookies and Kesem in the Quad. Mckenna Hamm (right) and Tristan Whalen talk to Sophie Roebel, a first-year student. Photo by Leighanne Jordan.
Jordhan Kieres said she remembers when she got the news about her mom’s breast cancer diagnosis. At 19, Kieres said she felt emotional and cried in her first-year dorm room.
“I felt many emotions, and I never want any child to feel the same way I did,” she said. Kieres joined Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter, and many members have personal connections to the impact of cancer has on a family.
Tristan Whalen, a senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, said: “My little sister had leukemia. That is what got me interested in dealing with pediatric cancer and Camp Kesem at Bellarmine.”
Whalen leads BU’s Camp Kesem chapter, and she has been a member for four years. Whalen said she stepped up to be president because of her leadership and commitment to the organization after three years of helping with fundraisers and social events. She said her favorite part of camp Kesem “is raising money to send kids to camp every summer.”
Camp Kesem is a national organization created to support children who are affected by a parent’s cancer. Bellarmine’s chapter plans and manages a free summer camp for any children in Kentucky and Indiana whose parent has or had cancer.
The camp is held every summer at a local campground organization in either Louisville or Southern Indiana and is typically the last week of July or the first week of August. The chapter discusses all camp details and determines activities based on fundraising and camper needs.
The camp is a week-long overnight camp with the mission of creating a positive environment with fun games and activities while helping kids forget the impact of their parent’s cancer. Activities include crafts, s’mores, campfires, storytelling and outdoor activities. BU Camp Kesem chapter members organize and lead all activities.
The chapter is able to provide these opportunities for local children through its year-round fundraising activities, such as the Make the Magic event. This event includes a week of giving to raise money for the camp and silent auctions where all the proceeds go to the camp.
Mckenna Hamm, a junior neuroscience major and the treasurer for BU’s chapter, said she became involved because she saw the impact cancer had on the children of her mom’s best friend.
“My mom’s best friend had cancer, and her two young kids were extremely affected by it. They couldn’t get away from it,” Hamm said. “We (the Bellarmine Camp Kesem chapter) provide just a week of summer camp to get away from that feeling.”
Hamm said the chapter is always looking for new members. “You should totally do it. It is the perfect way to give back to the community and help children in need affected by their parents’ cancer,” she said.
To join, search Camp Kesem on Engage or email Whalen at twhalen@bellarmine.org.
During the covid pandemic, BU’s Camp Kesem from Home still provided fun for all children affected by parent’s cancer. Members of BU’s chapter made crafts with campers online. Photo taken by Tristan Whalen, chapter president.
An ice cream social event raises awareness of the BU Camp Kesem chapter. Photo courtesy of BU’s Camp Kesem’s Instagram.
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