Magic takes over Chapman’s Camp Kesem’s annual fundraiser

Collage by Matias Pacheco-Ramirez, Photographer

The Chapman chapter of Camp Kesem, a national organization that supports children whose parents either had or have cancer, held its ninth annual Make the Magic gala on April 17 with the goal of raising $33,000. 

Camp Kesem was founded in 2000 at Stanford University, but was established at Chapman University in 2017 by 2019 graduate Mitchell Rosenberg as a tribute to his father, who had battled cancer. 

“I will never forget that feeling of being alone and (not being) around people who understood the heartache, pain and hardship that came with it,” said Rosenberg. 

Rosenberg made it his mission to start a Camp Kesem branch at Chapman after hearing about it from his older sister, who joined the University of California, Berkeley organization. 

“I knew we (had) a special student body that wants to be involved (in Kesem) and not a lot of opportunity, so I was confident that there would be a lot of interest,” said Rosenberg. 

During the summer, each chapter of Camp Kesem invites children to a free week-long overnight summer camp, where the organization's college members have the opportunity to be the camp counselors. 

At camp, children are paired with counselors and placed with peers of the same age group and who share similar experiences, creating a built-in support system. Throughout the week, campers participate in activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, sports and campfire events. 

Anja Weiss, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major and Kesem’s Meet the Magic coordinator, planned the fundraising gala throughout the school year. 

“We spent the entire year reaching out to people who would like to attend the camp, buy tickets and would like to be a sponsor,” said Weiss. 

The gala generates about a third of the chapter’s needed revenue for the camp. This year, they raised $27,041 in donations. 

The event brought together students, family members and friends for a night focused on both celebration and support. Attendees participated in fundraising efforts throughout the evening, including a donation tree where they could pledge a specific amount to donate, a silent auction and an honor wall to honor any loved ones who have passed. 

“Being a part of Camp Kesem has been my favorite experience at Chapman,” said Weiss. “Seeing how many people are willing to come out and support this cause that’s very personal to me has been so rewarding.”

For attendees, the impact of the night was just as meaningful. 

Susan Ciardullo attended the gala to support their daughter, freshman public relations, advertising and entertainment marketing major Kelly Ciardullo, who is a member of Chapman’s Camp Kesem chapter. 

“I had a cancer scare myself when Kelly was 12 years old during the pandemic,” said Susan. “It’s really sweet to know there’s something to support a child, like Camp Kesem, when something like that happens to a parent.” 

The experience gave Ciardullo a deeper appreciation for the organization and the work her daughter is involved in.

“You’d like to think that if you were in the same situation, someone would help you,” said Susan. “When this happens, it can cost a ton of money all at once, so this is a way to help people when they don't deserve this.”

As this year’s gala comes to a close, Camp Kesem’s work is far from over. Following the summer camp, members will begin planning and fundraising efforts once again to ensure future campers can attend at no cost.

For the Chapman chapter, the goal remains the same each year to continue building a community where children affected by a parent’s cancer can feel supported, understood and not alone.