The Cameron Boyce Foundation held its very first inaugural fundraising event, ”Cam For A Cause: A Fundraiser for The Cameron Boyce Foundation To End Epilepsy”, on Wednesday
May 18, 2022. The gala was organized to raise funds and awareness in the battle against epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which tragically claimed the young actor’s life in July of 2019.
The Foundation itself was established shortly after Cameron’s passing in an effort to honor Cameron’s philanthropic spirit while also funding epilepsy research. “It does help with the grieving. It doesn’t take it away, but it helps us put our energy somewhere,” explained Libby Boyce, Cameron’s mother. “I can’t tell you how many epileptic folks that we have met and talked to who just are so alone and so lost… and talking about all of these issues, this is something that we need to do because it has a huge impact on this earth,” she adds.
The immersive fundraiser was hosted at the Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles, California and featured a moving performance by Alvin Ailey dancer Meagan King, who danced to an original song written by Hailey Knox and adapted from a poem written to honor Cameron by his mother. “We have decided that this will not be a sad event,” says Libby. “Moving the needle on epilepsy is just so critical to us, but it’s in this environment of joy.”
Cameron’s father, Victor Boyce, states that he is proud of the progress and impact that the Foundation has made in the last three years. He notes that although COVID has made it difficult to do in-person events before now, they are excited for the opportunity to share their message with the world. This year would have been Cameron’s 23rd birthday. “Just thinking about that breaks my heart, every minute of every day…But, every year on his birthday..he wanted to give back and he would always do something to help others. In that spirit, that’s why we’re doing the gala.”
The event was attended by dozens of Cameron’s closest friends including Sofia Carson, Dove Cameron, Nolan Gould, Debby Ryan, Peyton List, Kenny Ortega and others. Many spoke out at the event about Cameron’s legacy and his lasting impact. “I think that Cam was the most alive person I’ve ever known,” says co-star and close friend Dove Cameron. “I think that in that, he has inspired me to be more alive, he has inspired me to be more human, more deeply feeling. Dove Cameron goes on to talk about the life-changing legacy her dear friend left behind, how he moved people in a way that no one else could, and about the peace he strived to bring into the world. Sophia Carson, who also performed at the event, echoed that sentiment, sharing that Cameron’s presence, loving him and being loved by him–felt like sunshine. “Cam always said that we all go, but what we leave behind should be bigger than us. That’s exactly what he did,” she says.
Maya Boyce, Cameron’s sister, attended the event with close friends and said that she found comfort in the familiar faces after losing her brother. Maya shares that although she’s still feeling sad, she’s happy that the foundation has become a point of peace for her parents. “This has meant so much to them. My mom started the foundation a little less than three years ago, and this is exactly [Cameron’s] style — outdoors, intimate, with everyone he knows. It feels exactly like Cameron.”
Also in attendance were Sarah Gilman, Skai Jackson and Kevin Chamberlain, Pearce Joza, Miles Levin, Garrett Wareing, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Casey Simpson, Nathaniel J Potvin, Kayla Maisonet, Aramis Knight, Carson Boatman, Nicole Elizabeth Berger (my daughter) and Seth Lee, among others.
For more information on epilepsy or to help contribute to epilepsy research, consider donating to The Cameron Boyce Foundation directly: https://www.thecameronboycefoundation.org/.