TO THE EDITOR:
As October came to an end, Breast Cancer Awareness Month also came to a conclusion, yet the battle is still being fought year-round to increase breast cancer awareness and research.
Each month of the year is a different type of cancer awareness month. The month of November is lung, carcinoid, pancreatic and stomach cancer awareness month, and some months draw awareness to as many as eight types of cancer, evidence showing that the number of people affected by cancer is immense.
One group that tends to be overlooked is the children who are affected by a parent’s cancer. Camp Kesem is the only organization in the United States that serves this audience of 3 million children. UNC is home to a local chapter of this organization, Camp Kesem North Carolina, which is run by UNC and Duke students.
Camp Kesem North Carolina offers two free weeks of camp each August to children affected by a parent’s cancer, and during the year, students at UNC and Duke work together to fundraise, program and provide year-round opportunities for campers and families to connect.
Camp Kesem is able to serve these children with the help of student volunteers at UNC and Duke. Counselor applications are available now until Nov. 30 online at bit.ly/1wQufGM.
