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.

1980Drug approved2024

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.

Voices from the Field

Researchers on why this matters

Independent pediatric oncology and rare-cancer researchers on the program's thesis and the work ahead.

β€œWe are deeply grateful to the Kyra's Hope Foundation for raising awareness and support for rare and underfunded cancers such as Ewing sarcoma, where there remains an urgent and unmet need for more effective and less toxic treatments. Focused initiatives like these are critical for accelerating research and advancing transformative discoveries in honor of Kyra and all the children, adolescents, and young adults, whose lives were lost far too early.”
Dr. Shireen Ganapathi

Dr. Shireen Ganapathi

Pediatric Oncologist & Postdoc Researcher, Seattle Children's Research Institute

β€œRare cancers are some of the hardest problems in medicine because families are often racing against time with limited research and few treatment options. AI gives us a chance to move faster by helping researchers uncover patterns and insights that would otherwise take years to find. The biggest breakthroughs will come when scientists, engineers, and clinicians work side by side to turn data into real treatments and real hope for patients.”
Dr. Taran Gujral

Dr. Taran Gujral

Professor, Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Director, Transformative Rare Cancer Initiative (TRACER)

Scientific Credibility

We Work Alongside, Not in Competition

Our partners bring rigorous scientific advisory infrastructure that strengthens how we evaluate and support research.

We do not generate or direct the science ourselves. We support work led by experienced researchers and institutions, focusing our role on accelerating how that research progresses.

Kyra Gupta

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.

β€œShe 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

πŸ”¬

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
Learn More & Apply
πŸ’»

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.

  • 10 hours/week, 6-month commitment
  • Co-authorship on publications
  • LinkedIn credential & portfolio
Learn More & Apply