As the quote by Kevin Padraig says, “Grief is like glitter. You can throw a handful of it into the air, but when you try to clean it up, you’ll never get it all.” But grief doesn’t always have to end in sadness; it can become a reason to help others. That’s the essence behind the world’s largest youth-led non-profit organization, ‘Cancer Kids First’ founded by Olivia Zhang. Cancer Kids First is a youth organization set up by Olivia Zhang that helps fight against childhood cancer. The organization provides emotional support to children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Moreover, the company is known to have a vast network of volunteers who help carry out its mission around the world. Olivia Zhang lost one of her grandparents to cancer in China. In addition, she lost her elementary school teacher to cancer. After losing her two close family members, Olivia decided to make a difference in the lives of children who battle cancer. The organization’s name reflects the fact that it serves children with cancer first.
The founder of Cancer Kids First, Olivia Zhang, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and her organization has attracted celebrities such as Prince William, Salman Khan, and many more. Cancer Kids First is a non-profit organization whose main aim is to help and provide emotional support to children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Olivia Zhang wanted to be there for them and do something worthwhile for once in her life. According to Olivia Zhang’s book YOUth , the organization was not built overnight. It had to strategize and build networks before launching it to the world. Olivia Zhang sold art pieces before launching CKF. She made a profit from selling art pieces to support CKF.
Cancer Kids First objective is that CKF makes hospitals happy places for children with cancer. Cancer Kids First helps create an environment where the child battling cancer does not feel alone and psychologically supported to overcome this journey of treatment. There are various ways in which CKF spends its resources to achieve its goals. Through the organization’s website, individuals can contribute in various ways. Some people can offer their service, while others can donate. Donations can be in the form of art, handcrafted books, and care packages. Additionally, the organization helps by donating medical supplies and equipment to children with cancer. Other objectives include establishing a global network of young volunteers and creating awareness about pediatric cancer.
Major Achievements & Global/National Impact
Global Impact: Cancer Kids First has registered more than 40,000 active volunteers in more than 80 countries with over 100 established chapters.
Patients Reached: The organization has touched the lives of more than 10,000 pediatric cancer patients in 22 countries.
Material Generous Offers: People from all parts of the world have donated 60,500 items worth more than $600,000 to CKF.
Chapters: The organization has registered about 90 chapters.
Media Features: CKF has been featured in media outlets such as People, Yahoo news, Business Insider, CBS news, and Vox among others. Founder Olivia Zhang has received many accolades for her tremendous work in the community. Some of the awards include the Legacy Diana Award, and she is also a Forbes 30 under 30. Olivia Zhang has also been recognized by Prince William, Salman Khan, and other media outlets.
Funding and Partnerships
1. CKF is a non-profit organization in the US, which makes donations to it tax-deductible.
2. CKF gets its shares from individual donations, fundraising events, corporate, and community donations.
3. The organization has partnered with about 74 to 111 hospitals worldwide to provide care packages, medical supplies, and virtual events to pediatric cancer patients.
4. CKF collaborates with about 37 organizations and corporations to scale down its efforts in fighting childhood cancer.
5. Some of the famous organizations that CKF has partnered with include World Child Cancer USA, WEGO Health, hospitals, and other community organizations.
6. This cooperation helps CKF provide care to more pediatric cancer patients by having a volunteer-based and community-supported network.
Statistics
Some of the vital statistics about Cancer Kids First organization include:
Key Statistics Projected for 2025-2026
Global Volunteers – 40,000 to 43,000+
Countries – 80 countries (2026)
Patient reach – More than 10,000 patients in 22 countries (2026)
Total donations – More than $600,000 (2026)
Hospital partners – 74 to 111 partner hospitals (2026)
Virtual/in-person events – More than 600 events (2026)
Case Studies Highlighting the Significance of Projects Carried Out by the Organization
International Medical Aid Missions (Brazil and South Africa)
The organization identified that some hospitals in Brazil and South Africa lacked the required medical equipment and technology to provide quality healthcare services to children battling cancer. The main purpose of this project was to help these hospitals that lacked the required equipment to purchase new technologies and machines. In addition, the organization wanted to help improve cancer treatment in these countries.
The organization collaborated with local doctors and hospitals and sent medical teams to Brazil and South Africa to donate surgical equipment and medical supplies. The organization also donated items needed in cancer treatment.
As a result, the hospitals in these countries received much-needed equipment. Consequently, doctors were able to provide better care to children with cancer, and more children received treatment for cancer.
Case Study 2: Virtual Social Integration Framework “CKF Conversations”
Children with cancer battle the disease for a long time, sometimes even years. These young ones have a weak immune system due to the medication they take to tackle cancer, thereby preventing them from meeting new people and playing with other children. For instance, children with cancer are confined to hospitals for a long time, thereby leaving them lonely and bored. Therefore, CKF launched a program titled “CKF Conversations”.
The project aimed to make these children feel connected and supported through online meetings organized by volunteer youth groupers. The organization wanted to help brighten these kids’ days and free them from the bondage of cancer. In addition, the organization wanted the children to feel more hopeful when battling cancer through its online meetings. The volunteers wanted to give the children a day to cheer and celebrate with friends without worrying about the disease.
The project involved volunteers interacting with children individually and in groups through online meetings where the young ones played games and celebrated birthdays. The volunteers also engaged the children in artistic activities, telling stories, and conversation-themed events such as themes of gratitude and kindness. As a result, the organization held six hundred virtual meetings where children felt much happier since they interacted with others in a friendly and joyful manner. The children felt more hopeful in their treatment as the volunteers brought some joy and positivity to their lives. The other outcome of these virtual meetings was that volunteers made new friendships with the young ones.
Possible Criticism, Controversies, and Challenges Faced by the Organization
1. Lack of Credibility: Initially, the organization faced some challenges, considering that it was young and had no much experience. Cancer Kids First got criticized, especially from hospitals, schools, and donors for being new and not trustworthy enough to receive donations from individuals, corporations, or hospitals when it started its journey in 2019.
2. Work Allocation: Serving in more than 80 countries is a challenge to the organization in terms of allocating duties efficiently due to the vast network of volunteers. Additionally, the transportation of medical equipment and supplies to partner hospitals is also a challenge due to the varying shipping regulations in different countries.
3. Sustainability: Most of the volunteers who serve with CKF are students. Therefore, once these students join the workforce or get admitted to other schools, they move away from volunteering with CKF. Consequently, the organization has to look for new volunteers and train them on time to fill this void.
Future Prospect
In the future, Cancer Kids First aims to scale down its efforts in fighting cancer by reaching more countries and hospitals, providing more equipment and supplies, encouraging donations, raising awareness, and training more young leaders to empower others to create an even greater impact.
Lesser-known Facts about Cancer Kids First
1. Cancer Kids First was launched by Olivia Zhang while she was in her bedroom in McLean, Virginia. Zhang was 14 years old back then.
2. Olivia designed her first website using Wix and her first logo in her sleep!
3. Her first team comprised three students, and they spent many nights pitching to hospitals, businesses, and organizations and got rejected multiple times.
4. In the beginning, the team of CKF faced more than 60 rejections!
5. A unique fact about CKF is that it strives to make hospitals normal places and provide psychological support to patients.
6. The organization witnessed an upsurge in volunteers during the covid-19 period, and it was through social media that Zhang recruited these individuals.
7. Olivia sold many handmade binders covers, bookmarks, bracelets, and art pieces online before launching CKF.
8. Initially, Zhang raised donations to help pay for her grandfather’s cancer treatment.
9. The initial aim of Olivia was to help only ten families.
10. Currently, CKF is helping thousands of children with cancer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cancer Kids First is indeed an exquisite example of an organization that has overcome many challenges and made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children battling cancer across the globe. From being just a 14-year-old girl who lost her grandfather and teacher to cancer, Olivia Zhang has made history and created an organization that has touched thousands of people’s lives. The organization has helped scale the impact of childhood cancer through hospital partnerships, chapters, care packages, virtual support, donation drives of medical supplies and equipment, medical aid missions, and creating awareness about childhood cancer. Moreover, despite facing many challenges, including fundraising and sustainability, the girl has made it possible to help scale a global movement in fighting childhood cancer through collaborations with partners, corporations, and communities.
According to Olivia Zhang, the first question should not be, “How can I start a nonprofit?” but “What keeps you awake at night?” She states that most organizations fail to address actual problems but are built to win awards and accolades.
By: Anjali Kumari
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