COMMUNITY IMPACT
Local 2024 Grant Awardees
Annually, the Cancer Foundation grants a maximum of 15% of its available funds to support cancer related programs in Santa Barbara County. This has included a variety of programs at UCSB as well as pediatric cancer research at Cottage Health.
Partnership Highlight
Camp Kasem
Kesem at UCSB is a chapter of the nationwide program that provides support to children impacted by a parent’s cancer. Highly trained college student leaders lead Kesem’s programs and organize a free week-long summer camp for children aged 6 to 18. Camp Kesem provides a warm and loving environment where campers can share their experiences with others who have gone through similar life situations. The community provides the foundation for confidence building, improved communication skills and an enhanced life outlook and attitude. The Cancer Foundation’s grant helps Kesem at UCSB send 50 children to the Santa Barbara-area camp.
“With a sole focus on providing support for cancer -related programs, the Cancer Foundation fills a unique role in our county. Organizations like Kesem at UCSB are essential to our community because they ensure that children impacted by a parent’s cancer are not alone.”
Lori Willis
Executive Director, Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara