Camp Kesem Hosts 8th Annual “Make the Magic” Fundraising Gala

By Sydney Morgan

It’s that time of the year again when Camp Kesem students and supporters join together for a fundraising event.

Camp Kesem is a campus organization that allows college students to lead their community through volunteer work.

According to their website, Kesem.org, there are more than 5 million children who are affected by a parent’s cancer.

Common side effects of having a parent with cancer include increased anxiety, emotional isolation, loss of social interest, and feelings of hopelessness.

“These kids have a lot going on at home, all of the stress and anxiety related to their parent’s cancer, as well as school, and sometimes they feel like they can’t connect with the students at their own school,” said Parmeet Kaur, who is the Make the Magic event coordinator at Camp Kesem.

In hopes of making their experience more hopeful, Kesem hosts events and a summer camp for these children.

“They don’t understand what’s going on with them and their parent’s cancer, and so giving them the opportunity to meet with these other students whose parents have gone through similar things, they find friends for life,” said Kaur.

Kaur says that the Fresno State Chapter is the only chapter that serves the Central Valley.

“That’s why we usually have a lot to fundraise for our summer camp,” said Kaur.

The cost of tickets is $70 per person, and with that purchase, you will receive dinner, drinks, and some ‘Kesem Magic.”

During their last fundraising gala, they showed this magic by creating floating lanterns with the guests who attended.

Other activities include camp songs.

“We try to make this a very fun event and tried to make it very camper friendly,” said Kaur.

The money made at the event will allow them to host their summer camp and continue “making their magic” as it’s a non-profit organization.

This year the organization’s goal is to raise $25,000 so they can spend another year providing care and support for these children and campers.

The theme of the gala is gold and black.

“Like fancy, because we haven’t had an in-person event for so long,” Kaur said. “It gives everyone an opportunity to dress up and feel special for a night.”

The purpose of their organization is to ensure these children never feel alone and that they create an escape for them to connect with peers going through similar things.

They hope to leave a lasting impact on these children, their goals of impact being “‍improved self-esteem, enhanced coping skills, increased self-confidence and stronger emotional intelligence,” as stated on their website.

“We always try to stay connected with them as much as we can,” said Kaur when explaining what happens after summer camp.

They go as far as to write birthday cards to campers throughout the year and host a daily and friends day event that occurs once a semester.

This overnight camp is free for children between the ages of six to 18.

For further details or to sign up your child, click on this link.