Camp Kesem’s fourth annual The Magic Ball was an evening filled with fun, surprise, delicious food, and entertainment—all benefiting children impacted by a parent’s cancer. Guests came together to raise over $1.2 million, which will allow the organization to provide its free summer camping experiences and year-round support services for more of the over five million children nationwide who have a parent with cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer. For more informaiton, visit Camp Kesem’s website.
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A special surprise came at the end of the night when all guests were sent home with a signed copy of Kelly Corrigan’s new book.
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A special video premiere and appearance by the video’s stars—a Camp Kesem camper family—inspired guests to give generously during the evening’s paddle raise.
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Camp Kesem CEO, Jane Saccaro touched on the importance of the organization’s mission.
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Co-Directors of the Camp Kesem at UW-Madison chapter co-hosted the evening.
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Danny Wirtz came onstage to add exciting surprises to the Chicago Blackhawks auction package.
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Emcee Susanna Homan with Kesem Chicago Board members Dara Levy and Michelle Grossmann
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Guests celebrated their winning auction bid.
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Guests enjoyed an exciting live auction.
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Guests had the chance to win a Fairmont Chicago Hotel getaway and romantic dinner at Theater on the Lake.
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Guests like Nita Kulkarni enjoyed dancing to DJ Maurice Joshua after the program.
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Guests like the evening’s emcee, Susanna Homan, were greeted with friendship bracelets from Kesem’s college student volunteers who came in from around the country for the event.
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Guests were also encouraged to create their own “camp name” for the evening.
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Jill Sammons participating in the “Heads or Tails” game.
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Kelly Corrigan and family.
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Kelly Corrigan and Ted Grady of J&L Catering, an auction sponsor for the evening.
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Kesem Chicago Board member Bevin Skoglund (center) and friends
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Kesem Chicago Board member Heather Bartell (right) and friends
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Kesem Chicago Board member Julie Oleshansky and friends
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Kesem Chicago Board member, Carolyn Agnew, and Sarah Martay
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Kesem Chicago Board members Kate Protextor (left) and Kelli Patterson (right) with friends.
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Kesem National Board member Neha Biggs (center) with friends
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New York Times best-selling author, Kelly Corrigan, was the evening’s keynote speaker.
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Northwestern head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, meeting Camp Kesem at Northwestern University student volunteers.
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Northwestern University head football coach Pat Fitzgerald and Kesem CEO, Jane Saccaro.
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Peter Martay and a Camp Kesem college student volunteer during the live auction excitement.
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The Camp Kesem college student volunteers brought tremendous energy to the event.
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The evening’s emcee, Susanna Homan, opened up the program.
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The winner was chosen through an exciting game of “Heads or Tails” led by the evening’s auctioneer, David Goodman.
Photo: Sheri Whitko Photography