The nonprofit organization Camp Kesem provides the children of cancer patients with a supportive, lifelong camp community that understands their unique needs. At no charge, the children enjoy a fun-filled summer sleep-away week that is transformative for campers and counselors alike.
When Corey Jacobson, age 11, heard about Camp Kesem from his mother, Mass General oncologist Beverly Moy, MD, he decided that his bar mitzvah project would be to organize a fundraiser for the Massachusetts chapter of Camp Kesem, based at MIT.
Corey’s event, the Concert for Camp Kesem, featured himself, his younger brother Danny, and 15 other student musicians from their community. Corey persuaded a bakery to create special Camp Kesem cupcakes, raising $600 in advance of the concert, and convinced local businesses to donate goods for a raffle. He also created an event website with links to Camp Kesem, aimed at raising awareness about this special place.
The concert drew so many of Corey’s neighbors, friends and family members that he had to find a larger venue for the event. A poised and purposeful host, Corey’s concert included a guest speaker, a breast cancer survivor who spoke of what Camp Kesem has meant to her daughters.
“Because of Corey’s leadership, vision and drive,” writes Eliezer M. Van Allen, MD, an advisor to the Massachusetts chapter of Camp Kesem, “Camp Kesem MIT has gained $4,500 to provide a safe place that lets children of cancer patients simply be kids.”
Corey anticipates making this an annual event and planning for this year’s concert is already under way.
