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Kesem will launch Joy Out Loud on January 1, 2026, a month-long campaign inviting communities nationwide to recognize Children Facing a Parent's Cancer Month and unleash the joy that every child deserves. Through music, creative expression, and everyday moments of lightness, the campaign aims to connect children impacted by a parent's cancer with the resources, support, and community that can help them live their joy out loud.
Kesem is the nation's largest organization supporting children through a parent's cancer, operating through 115-plus college chapters at universities nationwide. Run by passionate student volunteers, Kesem provides completely free summer camps and year-round programs that create a safe, supportive environment where kids can just be kids.
More than 5 million children in the U.S. are currently affected by a parent's cancer, a population larger than the entire state of Alabama. While cancer patients receive significant attention and support, their children represent a largely invisible population in the healthcare conversation. Research shows these children often experience increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. They take on caregiving roles and struggle to find peers who understand their experience.
"Through widespread participation and storytelling, Joy Out Loud aims to build the kind of awareness that matters most. When a family is affected, our goal is that there's always someone in their circle who knows about Kesem and can connect them to support," said Chris Nielsen, chief marketing officer of Kesem. "When families realize they're not alone and discover that free, specialized support exists, children can experience less isolation, better mental health outcomes, and the freedom to be kids again."
The Joy Out Loud campaign will create multiple pathways for participation:
- Joy Out Loud Playlists: Weekly curated playlists on Spotify featuring uplifting music to share across communities and headlined by Grammy-nominated artist and Kesem supporter Alex Warren. Through his partnership with Plus1, Warren is donating $1 from each ticket sold on his upcoming tour to Kesem.
- The Joy Calendar: Daily prompts for bringing small moments of joy into everyday life — take a walk, dance for two minutes, buy a stranger coffee.
- Joy Bracket TikTok Filter: Social media activations inviting people to share what brings them joy while raising awareness.
- Corporate Partnerships: Leading sponsors including Pfizer, Eisai, Lamar, and La Roche-Posay are supporting employee engagement through the campaign's Joy Kit and hosting events throughout the month.
Reframing January: Turning the 'Saddest Month' into a Movement of Joy
"January has a reputation as the 'saddest month of the year,' marked by post-holiday letdown and seasonal depression," added Nielsen. "But that's precisely why it's the perfect time to spread joy out loud and support Kesem kids. By inviting communities to spread joy during a month when many people struggle, we create a cultural moment that naturally draws attention to kids who carry far heavier burdens. Children living in the shadow of a parent's cancer diagnosis need permission and support to laugh, play, and feel like kids again."
Children Facing a Parent's Cancer Month was founded in 2018 by Kesem and is observed annually in January to raise awareness of the more than 5 million children facing a parent or caregiver's cancer in the United States.
Kesem has supported over 10,000 children annually through its programs, with alumni reporting long-term positive effects on their resilience, mental health, and ability to navigate challenging life circumstances. All Kesem programs are free to families.
To learn more about Joy Out Loud, participate in the campaign, or access resources for families, visit kesem.org/january.
About Kesem
Kesem is the leading national organization that supports children ages 6 to 18 through and beyond a parent’s cancer. Kesem aims to ensure that every child impacted by a parent’s cancer is never alone. College student volunteers at over 115 chapters nationwide deliver free, creative, fun-filled Kesem programs that foster a lasting community. For more information, visit kesem.org, and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Media Contact
Lisa Dini
lisa@lisadini.com
