Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. They are the largest national organization dedicated to this unique population. There are more than 100 Kesem chapters in the country with over 5,000 student leaders. Nationally, Kesem served 10,200 children in 2019 (most current data). 81% of every dollar spent supported programming for our 100% free services.

Dr. Kerri Ashurst serves as the UK Chapter Student Advisor for Camp Kesem, formed in late 2016. Camp Kesem KY had their first camp in July 2017 with 19 children attending and their second camp in June 2018 with 28 children attending. A camp was held in July 2019 with 31 campers with the help of 19 student volunteers from UK. In 2020, the pandemic forced us to modify our camp program and create "Kesem at Home." Kesem at Home was piloted nationally in 2020 and served over 8,600 children across the country through over 140 virtual sessions. UK has now held Kesem at Home programs in both 2020 and 2021 Some exemplary impacts that came from the pilot include: 

• 99% of families reported their child(ren) was/were safe during Kesem at Home
• 97% of families would recommend Kesem at Home to other families affected by cancer
• 97% of families felt that Kesem at Home had a positive impact on their family
• 96% of families reported their child(ren) had fun during Kesem at Home
• 96% of families reported that their child(ren) felt included during Kesem at Home
• 95% of parents intend to send their child(ren) back to Kesem next summer‍

If we learned anything from 2020, we learned you do not need to be face-to-face with someone to have a meaningful exchange that leave you with an incredible conversation, a fresh outlook, or a new friend. We developed a KY newsletter in 2020 for families to share their stories and chat with one another. Now that 5 years of camps have been held, UK's Camp Kesem chapter is holding "Friends and family days" where former campers come together to reunite, have fun, and share their experiences. This was done virtually in 2020. We held a "Make the Magic" virtual fundraising event in April 2021. UK's Camp Kesem chapter student directors and advisory board raised enough funds to hold a Kesem at Home camp in summer 2021.