The Inheritance of Hope Podcast

When cancer touches your family, your kids need more than reassurance. They need space to be honest about what they’re carrying, and space to just be kids.

This week, Derek Calderara from Kesem joins the podcast. For 25 years, Kesem has offered free camps and year-round support for kids ages 6 to 18 navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis, at any stage of the journey.

You’ll hear what a week at camp actually looks like: tie-dye, friendship bracelets, and empowerment activities where kids can share what cancer has meant for them and their family, if they choose to.

Kesem also offers day programs, virtual support through Club Kesem, and one-on-one care through Kesem By Your Side. All programs are free, with needs-based assistance available.

Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 — What It Looks Like When Kids Comfort Each Other Through a Parent’s Cancer
01:23 — 25 Years of Supporting Families Through a Parent’s Cancer Diagnosis
03:14 — What “Kesem” Means and How the Organization Started
08:03 — A Week at Camp: What Kids Actually Experience
16:58 — Are Services Free? Age Requirements and Cost
21:16 — Day Programs, Virtual Support, and One-on-One Care 25:36 — How to Find a Program Near You

Resource Links:
Find a program near you here: https://www.kesem.org/programs
Visit Kesem to learn more: https://www.kesem.org/
Looking for other resources? Check out our Other Helpful Organizations webpage for more support: https://www2.inheritanceofhope.org/OtherHelpfulOrganizationsPodcast