Who We Are
Our Story
We can’t take the cancer away. But we can take care of the people facing it.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their world doesn’t just tilt—it spins out of control. In an instant, families are pulled into a world of hospital rooms and medical jargon. Sleepless nights. Impossible choices. Fear settles into everything, and life becomes appointments, treatments, and waiting.
That’s where Kids with Cancer Society steps in.
We understand cancer doesn’t just affect the child, it consumes the entire family. We exist to hold families up when pediatric cancer threatens to pull everything apart. We can’t take the cancer away. But we can take care of the people facing it.
What We Do
For the kid who is scared and exhausted, we offer comfort, connection, and moments that feel like childhood again. For parents pushed to their breaking point, we show up with financial help and support they can access from a hospital bedside. We’re there for worried siblings who feel invisible — and for all caregivers who quietly put their own lives on hold to keep their family going.
Our Lifetime Commitment
From the moment of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and bereavement, we walk beside families. Quietly. Consistently. Free of charge. For as long as they need us. Because when a family is fighting for a kid with cancer, they need someone fighting with them.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Immediate navigation, emotional grounding, and emergency financial relief.
Survivorship
Empowering children and families as they transition into life after cancer.
Bereavement
Providing compassionate, ongoing support for families facing the unimaginable.
Our Promise
We make sure no family faces childhood cancer alone.
Our Mission
We support children facing cancer, and their families, by providing wraparound care throughout their journey. With strategic programming, research and partnerships, we strive to meet their evolving needs from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship or bereavement.
Our Vision
A future where no child or family faces cancer alone—where hope, support, and access to essential programs, services, and research is made possible for all.
Built by families, year after year
Four decades of showing up for kids with cancer in Alberta — from a handful of parents around a hospital table to a province-wide community.
Our Early Years
1979 – 1992-
1979
The Spark of Community
Dr. John Akabutu, Nurse Judy MacTavish and parents from the Northern Alberta Pediatrics Parents Association (NAPPA) come together for the families no one else was supporting.
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1988
Camp Beat It & The First Christmas Party
Parent Sheila Ethier launches the very first “Camp Beat It” — attended by 12 families — alongside a family Christmas party.
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1989
An Edmonton Tradition Begins
Ken and Paddy Webb, alongside friends Hugh and Louise Campbell, engage the Edmonton Eskimos to join families at West Edmonton Mall, sparking a tradition spanning over 30 years.
New Identity & Major Milestones
1993 – 2004-
1993
Official Name Change & First Medical Grant
The organization officially becomes the Kids with Cancer Society, and directs its first medical grant of $20,000 to the Pediatric Oncology Medical Team.
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1998
The Journey Begins
The Society launches the Beaded Journey Program, a profound initiative honouring a child’s cancer treatment milestones.
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2004
The Survivors Program Launches
KWCS funds and launches the Childhood Cancer Survivors Program with a landmark $500,000 donation.
Scaling Impact & Investing Millions
2007 – 2018-
2007
Reaching the $1 Million Mark
The Society celebrates its very first million-dollar revenue year.
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2009
Bricks, Mortar, and a Research Chair
A massive year of expansion: the official doors open to the new KWCS facility at 11135 – 84 Avenue, and a $3 million Pediatric Oncology Research Chair is created at the University of Alberta.
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2015
$12 Million to the Hospital
KWCS has officially directed more than $12 million in cumulative funding to the hospital to date.
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2018
Papa Ken’s House Opens
The official launch of Papa Ken’s House, a dedicated overnight accommodation project providing a safe haven for out-of-town families.
Innovation & Legacy
2020 – Present-
2020
Pandemic Pivots & Virtual Care
When the pandemic hit, KWCS pivoted to deliver virtual support, mailing out hundreds of “Camp in a Box” packages to rural and isolated families.
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2023
High-Impact Fundraising & Upgrades
The Beaded Journey Gala raises an incredible $400,000, while a modern digital transformation project moves the Society fully to cloud-based operations.
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2025
Institutional Legacy
The University of Alberta officially honours decades of research investment by naming the Kids with Cancer Society Pediatric Oncology Research Lab.
