A Magical Summer Camp: Kids Take a Vacation from Parents' Cancer

Agape Partners with Camp Kesem!

Children who have a parent living with cancer, or who have lost a parent to cancer,  typically bear their burdens alone. It can be tough for these kids to find understanding, especially with their peers. 

Camp Kesem was established as a place where these children can connect, find support and experience all the fun a week can hold. Kesem summer camps are free of change and run by highly trained college student leaders. The 2017 Kesem CU Boulder camp begins Sunday, June 25^th and runs for one week. 

Agape was introduced to Camp Kesem through Agape Palliative Nurse Practitioner Michael Dunkle. Michael (a.k.a. Yoda), has been with Camp Kesem since 2012, serving as nurse and consultant to the CU students running the show.

Michael says, “Our Kesem chapter has been talking about ways to expand our support base as our camp continues to grow. Agape’s heart for not only caring for people, but helping all community members through a patient’s illness or death, make them a natural partner for Kesem.” 

The team at Agape loves the idea that the children of the patients they’ve cared for could have a community like Kesem near home and without financial burden to the family. 

Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew.  Agape looks forward to supporting and helping Kesem share the magic with families in their care or others in the community whose children can benefit from this opportunity. 

For information or to refer a camper between the ages of 6-16, visit Camp Kesem Boulder or call Agape 720-482-1988. 

Happy Dove Day!

Every year on June 16, Agape Bereavement Manager Karrie Filios honors her mother by handing out Dove bars. She's been doing this every year for 12 years. 

When Karrie’s mom was living her last days, she wasn’t the typical hospice patient in terms of food. She ate up to the day before she died. That day, she enjoyed her last, and favorite, treat: a Dove Bar. The morning of her death, October 15, 2005, Karrie and her family raised their Dove Bars, eating them in tribute to her mom. They did so at her memorial service and have continued this tradition on her mom’s birthday ever since.

As our Bereavement Manager, Karrie knows all about loss, grief and the power of remembrance. How a  simple, tangible token (in this case, a rich, creamy treat perfect for a mid-June summer day), can stand as a sweet memorial.

Thanks, Karrie, for the call to remember and for including us in this delicious tradition every year. Happy Dove Day.