AFCA to bring Support and Awareness of Children with Parents Fighting Cancer in Partnership with Kesem
May 17, 2021
Categories: AFCA News,
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has partnered with Kesem, the nation’s largest community for children who have a parent facing cancer – a unique population estimated to be over 5 million. The AFCA will help spread the word to its 10,000-plus members of the need for support of children whose parents are fighting cancer.
“We are honored and excited to team up with the AFCA to support our mission of improving the lives of children impacted by a parent’s cancer,” Rich Segal, Kesem CEO said. “Like AFCA coaches create community among their players directed toward a common goal, Kesem creates a fun-filled community for kids at moments in their lives when mutual support and understanding are more important than ever.”
Many organizations in the cancer space are dedicated to research and support services for patients. Very few, however, focus on the needs of family members, specifically children. Research shows that children affected by a parent’s cancer can experience anxiety, feelings of isolation, negative academic performance, and taking on adult roles. Kesem seeks to provide equitable and inclusive experiences to these children across the country, including those from marginalized and underrepresented communities, at no cost to families.
“I’m thrilled to have the AFCA and Kesem unite, two great organizations that work relentlessly to make the experiences of those they serve special,” 2021 AFCA President and Northwestern Head Coach, Pat Fitzgerald said. “When AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry created an opportunity for the Association’s President to suggest a charity of choice to our Board of Trustees, the first group I thought of was Kesem. My wife, Stacy, and I have seen the power of influence Kesem can have on young people affected by this terrible disease. Our hope, through this partnership, is the AFCA can shine a spotlight on Kesem and the incredible impact they are making.”
Kesem supports over 10,000 campers (ages 6-18) annually through its year-round programming and its nationally recognized flagship program, Camp Kesem, led by over 5,300 college student leaders in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Since its inception in 2000, Kesem has provided life-changing experiences to more than 100,000 campers and camper families, fostering a sense of connection, hope, and trust that continues to permeate Kesem’s culture and national networks.
“Cancer, in its many forms, is one of the worst diseases that any person might have to deal with, but very few people think about the toll that cancer battle has on other members of that family,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “Kesem is a great organization that has come up with a great way to help children in those situations. We are honored to partner with them and help expand their cause across the nation.”
For more information about Kesem, visit www.campkesem.org. For more information about the AFCA, visit dev.afca.com.
About Kesem
Kesem is the leading national nonprofit supporting children facing a parent’s cancer. Founded in 2000, Kesem’s community consists of more than 5,300 volunteer college student leaders at over 130 college chapters across the country, providing year-round programs and services for these children ages 6-18 at no cost to families. Its flagship program, Camp Kesem, is a week-long, sleep-away summer camp. Beyond camp, Kesem provides a continuum of touchpoints for campers and their families. Kesem is funded entirely by generous donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. For more information, visit kesem.org and follow us (@CampKesem) on social media.
About the AFCA
The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out insider.afca.com and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has partnered with Kesem, the nation’s largest community for children who have a parent facing cancer – a unique population estimated to be over 5 million. The AFCA will help spread the word to its 10,000-plus members of the need for support of children whose parents are fighting cancer.
“We are honored and excited to team up with the AFCA to support our mission of improving the lives of children impacted by a parent’s cancer,” Rich Segal, Kesem CEO said. “Like AFCA coaches create community among their players directed toward a common goal, Kesem creates a fun-filled community for kids at moments in their lives when mutual support and understanding are more important than ever.”
Many organizations in the cancer space are dedicated to research and support services for patients. Very few, however, focus on the needs of family members, specifically children. Research shows that children affected by a parent’s cancer can experience anxiety, feelings of isolation, negative academic performance, and taking on adult roles. Kesem seeks to provide equitable and inclusive experiences to these children across the country, including those from marginalized and underrepresented communities, at no cost to families.
“I’m thrilled to have the AFCA and Kesem unite, two great organizations that work relentlessly to make the experiences of those they serve special,” 2021 AFCA President and Northwestern Head Coach, Pat Fitzgerald said. “When AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry created an opportunity for the Association’s President to suggest a charity of choice to our Board of Trustees, the first group I thought of was Kesem. My wife, Stacy, and I have seen the power of influence Kesem can have on young people affected by this terrible disease. Our hope, through this partnership, is the AFCA can shine a spotlight on Kesem and the incredible impact they are making.”
Kesem supports over 10,000 campers (ages 6-18) annually through its year-round programming and its nationally recognized flagship program, Camp Kesem, led by over 5,300 college student leaders in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Since its inception in 2000, Kesem has provided life-changing experiences to more than 100,000 campers and camper families, fostering a sense of connection, hope, and trust that continues to permeate Kesem’s culture and national networks.
“Cancer, in its many forms, is one of the worst diseases that any person might have to deal with, but very few people think about the toll that cancer battle has on other members of that family,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “Kesem is a great organization that has come up with a great way to help children in those situations. We are honored to partner with them and help expand their cause across the nation.”
For more information about Kesem, visit www.campkesem.org. For more information about the AFCA, visit dev.afca.com.
About Kesem
Kesem is the leading national nonprofit supporting children facing a parent’s cancer. Founded in 2000, Kesem’s community consists of more than 5,300 volunteer college student leaders at over 130 college chapters across the country, providing year-round programs and services for these children ages 6-18 at no cost to families. Its flagship program, Camp Kesem, is a week-long, sleep-away summer camp. Beyond camp, Kesem provides a continuum of touchpoints for campers and their families. Kesem is funded entirely by generous donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. For more information, visit kesem.org and follow us (@CampKesem) on social media.
About the AFCA
The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out insider.afca.com and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
