The Vision of Kids Beating Cancer

Always looking to the future, the vision of Kids Beating Cancer is to continue investing in the development of improved methods to treat children diagnosed with cancer more safely, effectively and with fewer side effects, and to focus on advancing the most significant breakthroughs in the treatment of pediatric cancers that will offer the best hope of a cure to children with cancer worldwide.

The Mission of Kids Beating Cancer

The mission of Kids Beating Cancer is to provide access to life-saving treatments for children diagnosed with cancer, funding pediatric cancer research for improved outcomes, moving new discoveries to patient care, all while supporting children and their families throughout the journey to a cure.
Science is the Cure to Saving Children’s Lives.

THE PHILOSOPHY FOR OUR PROGRAMS

Keep Hope Alive – Fight for a Cure for Every Child – Keep Families Together

Kids Beating Cancer believes in more than just hope—we believe in building a place where cures begin and families heal.

That place is the Kids Beating Cancer Children’s Center—a dedicated Safe Haven where children fighting cancer and life-threatening diseases can receive care, and families can find strength, support, and community.

Together with other families walking the same difficult path, this center will be a space of hope, healing, and togetherness—where no one fights alone.

For parents of children diagnosed with cancer or one of over 80 malignant and non-malignant life-threatening diseases, hope isn’t enough. They need access to cutting-edge treatments—their child’s only chance at survival.

Kids Beating Cancer exists to make those cures possible.

By removing financial, logistical, and emotional barriers, we empower families to focus on what matters most: helping their child survive and thrive.

We are a champion for these brave children and their families, fighting every day for one powerful outcome:
That no child dies before experiencing the joy of life.

At the heart of our mission is one unwavering purpose: Saving Children’s Lives.

Did you know?

Three areas of support of Kids Beating Cancer

RESEARCH

Kids Beating Cancer funds innovative pediatric cancer research at leading institutions nationwide—advancing breakthrough treatments, improving outcomes, and moving promising discoveries from the lab directly to the bedside.

John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant
Robert G Owens Memorial Leukemia Research Grant
Science is the Cure Grant
Emerging Scientist Grant
Promising Scientist Grant

TREATMENT
Expanding Access to Lifesaving Treatment Through Innovation and Investment

CLINICAL TRIALS PROGRAM
Kids Beating Cancer funds access to critical clinical trials for children facing high-risk cancers or relapse—children who would otherwise have no treatment options. These trials often represent their only hope for a cure.

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANT CENTER
In 2012, Kids Beating Cancer funded the establishment of the first pediatric transplant center in Central Florida—the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children. This center ensures that no child must leave their home or support system to receive a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

CELLULAR THERAPY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Kids Beating Cancer continues to invest in the latest advancements in cellular therapy—bringing previously unavailable technologies to Central Florida. With the purchase of over 17 high-tech, state-of-the-art medical devices, KBC has dramatically improved patient outcomes while also reducing healthcare costs at the Kids Beating Cancer Cellular Therapy Facility at AdventHealth Orlando.

These critical innovations are more than technology—they are lifelines.
Just some of the lifesaving impacts of our cellular therapy investments include:

The state-of-the-art CliniMACS Prodigy and Macs Quant machine that will enable CAR-T to be done in house at the ONLY facility in Florida that will do CAR-T for pediatric patients. This equipment will not only serve Central Florida children but has the potential to serve children from all over the state of Florida and beyond!
This KBC funded equipment will allow the manufacture of cell therapy products depleted for alpha-beta T-cells, a cutting-edge therapy for reducing post-transplant Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD), a major complication after bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
This KBC funded equipment will allow the manufacture of Natural Killer (NK), selected cell therapy products, that can recognize and eliminate tumor cells rapidly without prior sensitization. Clinical evidence has shown that donor-derived NK cells pose a low risk of inducing GVHD.

CHILDREN’S SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Restoring Childhood—Even in the Midst of Cancer Treatment

Kids Beating Cancer offers a range of essential programs under BUNKY’s Pals, that serve hundreds of children each year, providing critical emotional and practical support during cancer treatment or stem cell transplant.

These unique, child-focused programs are designed to:

Ease suffering and reduce fear during long and painful treatment journeys
Distract from pain and isolation with creativity, connection, and joy
Inspire imagination and hope, helping children reclaim the wonder of childhood—even in the hospital

Because we believe that joy and laughter are not luxuries—they are part of healing. And when a child feels better emotionally, their body is better prepared to heal physically.

BUNKY’S PALS Program

Comfort, Connection, and Care Throughout the Journey

Kids Beating Cancer’s BUNKY’S PALS program provides comprehensive, compassionate support to children and their families during every phase of treatment—from hospital stays to long-term outpatient care.

Open to all families, regardless of hospital affiliation, this program ensures no child feels alone in their fight, and no family faces the journey without help, hope, and heart.

BUNKY SNUGGLE BOXES providing every child a soft, cuddly Teddy Bear named Bunky, a comfy blanket, socks, beanie, and t-shirt (Locally and Nationwide)
BUNKY & FRIENDS CELEBRATIONS providing weekly fun activities for the children while in treatment at participating hospitals, milestone and seasonal gifts, and fun filled safe Parties and Events during the year for the entire family treated in Central Florida
HEART OF JOHN providing a little gift of financial support in remembrance of the struggles families face during treatment on dates of significance in January, May, August and Christmas.
MY ROOM providing children while receiving a bone marrow or stem cell transplant at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and AdventHealth for Children, a decorated, themed hospital room selected by the child.
FOOD FOR FAMILIES providing a stocked Kitchen and Pantry while children receive a transplant at the Kid Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center at AdventHealth for Children. Providing weekly meals and snacks for the children while in the hospital and out-patient treatment at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and AdventHealth for Children.
THE FOR THE LOVE OF JOHN providing Bicycles for children who wish to ride in Central Florida
PRINCE AND PRINCESS celebration party for those children in the WALK OF HEROES
WALK OF HEROES at the HATS & HEROES BALL providing clothing, dinner, arrival party, and a hotel stay annually for special Heroes honored in Orlando Florida

Our Mission