A Kyra's Hope Initiative
Accelerating cures for rare childhood cancers.
We accelerate research on rare pediatric cancers like Ewing sarcoma by combining funding with embedded engineering and AI expertise.
The Silent Reality
A System That Fails Every Child With Rare Cancer
45 Years of Pediatric Drug Development
Only 8 drugs
Approved specifically for pediatric cancer since 1980.
4%
of federal cancer research funding goes to childhood cancer
$10M
typical translational funding gap per breakthrough
<20%
metastatic survival rate for Ewing sarcoma, unchanged for decades
Sources: NCI Cancer Statistics, FDA Pediatric Drug Approvals, ASCO, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
What We Do Differently
We're a multiplier, not just a funder.
Great science is happening. We help it move faster by pairing grants with embedded engineering and AI expertise, the connective tissue between discovery and patients.
Fund
Rare-cancer research
Direct financial support for underfunded pediatric oncology, especially sarcomas. Pilot studies, translational research, reagents, and the costs that move work toward clinical trials.
Embed
Technical expertise
Structured, cohort-based teams of engineers and AI specialists embedded directly with research labs. Not informal volunteering: defined roles, time-bound commitments, and project-based delivery.
Stay grounded
In real families
We stay closely connected to the children and families this work is for. Their experience keeps the research grounded in real needs and real urgency, not abstractions.
The Heart
This Is Why We Fight
Kyra Gupta was 12. She fought Ewing sarcoma for three years with treatments that have barely changed in 40. Her final act was to donate her body to medical science so research could move faster for the next child. Her tumor samples are still being studied today.
“She wasn't just fighting for herself. She was fighting so we'd finally pay attention to what's been broken all along.”
Gautam & Alka, Kyra's parents
In memory of Kyra Gupta, 2013–2025
Get Involved
Kyra Gupta Research Grant
Accelerate your pediatric cancer research with direct funding, a dedicated engineering team, or both. We provide what your lab needs to move discoveries forward.
- Direct research funding for pilot studies and translational work
- Technology talent: 3–5 engineers + Tech Lead for 6 months
- Infrastructure support (cloud compute, tools)
- Focus on rare childhood cancers, especially sarcomas
- No cost to your lab
Kyra's Hope Fellowship
Use your engineering skills to fight pediatric cancer. Join a team of peers and contribute to real research at leading institutions.
- 5 hours/week, 6-month commitment
- Co-authorship on publications
- LinkedIn credential & portfolio