For electrical engineering senior Jack Jeng, racing for the cure and donating money to cancer charities are simply not enough.
Jeng is one of 10 ASU students giving his time, effort and friendship to the children of cancer patients in a program called Camp Kesem.
“Our camp gives these kids the opportunities to be kids,” Jeng said. “They’re in an environment with other kids in their situation.”
Jack Jeng and his younger brother, biotechnology sophomore Mark Jeng, are both counselors at Camp Kesem. Jack is a co-founder of the ASU chapter.
ASU is one of 21 universities participating in the national program, which was founded in 2001. In ASU’s three years of participation, it has given children of cancer patients from ages six to 13 the opportunity to interact with their peers and take part in activities like swimming, archery and rock climbing.
“It’s recreational therapy,” Jack Jeng said.
Counselors who have worked with the group before said this is a highly overlooked and underserved segment of the population.
“You don’t ever hear about the families of cancer patients,” said counselor and pre-med senior Nicole Henson.
“As a pre-med major, I often hear about how the families of cancer patients are neglected,” she said.
Next July, the camp will expand to accept teenagers into its program for the first time in its history at ASU, Jack Jeng said. This means camp staffers will have to raise more money than ever to accommodate the new campers, about $40,000 compared to last year’s $24,000. It also means the camp will need more counselors than ever, he said.
“We’re looking for responsible students with a great personality,” Jack said. “Kids really pick up on a counselor’s energy.”
Looking after the camp’s 30-plus children is a challenge, Mark Jeng said, but equally rewarding.
“It’s a really good way to see a direct impact on the people you’re helping,” he said. “You get to see the kids and the way they change throughout the [experience].”
Geography senior and counselor Matt Valdez said counselors often get to see the children grow up before their eyes.
“Having these kids talk about issues in their lives, sometimes for the first time — it’s amazing to see,” Valdez said.
Jack Jeng said because of their situation, many of the children show maturity beyond their years.
“To hear one 7-year-old tell another 7-year-old, ‘It’s OK that your parent is sick,’ or ‘It’s OK that your parent passed away’ — it’s an amazing experience,” he said.
Although members of Camp Kesem’s staff only work as counselors in the summer, it is a full-time job. Jack Jeng said the camp committee works year-round to raise money to fund activities at the summer camp, including a fundraising banquet held every April called, “Make the Magic.”
“Next year, we’re aiming for 50 campers and more [counselors],” Jack said. “We’re just working on making the camp better.”
Reach the reporter at derek.quizon@asu.edu.
