It turns out that s’mores, children, and campfires can teach you a lot- even within a week’s time. When I came across Camp Kesem, its mission, “Supporting children through and beyond their parent’s cancer” resonated deep within me. Camp Kesem is a non-profit, student led organization that provides a week long camp to children, ages 6-16, who have been impacted by a parent’s diagnosis of cancer. When I was first accepted as a program counselor, I remember being told that camp would “change my life”. At the time this statement seemed cliché at best and rather cheesy in nature- I found it rang true. In many ways, that week of lessons, successes, practices, and failures provided me with both a meaningful context for life and the dynamic of the patient-professional relationship that medicine requires. The critical connection of intellect, empathy, and hope required of radiation therapists is a balancing act; one …show more content…
I was intrigued by the mutation and began researching medical professions involved in studying such processes, and came across radiation therapy. I was initially drawn to this profession through my entry level course, but what keeps me motivated are my experiences with Camp Kesem. Putting my experience as a whole into words fails to do justice to the work I have accomplished and the family that I have gained through my time at camp. These kids make me want to be a better person-they are my motivators. Every time I see the kids and every time I get a free hug from a six-year-old, I just want to be the person they think I am, that is the person I strive to be. I want to be that positive light- in all aspects of my life and not just at Camp Kesem. I want to take the Kesem spirit with me wherever I go, the feeling of magic, possibility, and