Leia's Kids

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, everything changes at once — the finances, the emotions, the exhaustion, the isolation. Leia's Kids was built specifically for that moment and every hard moment that follows. Founded by Leia Hunt Toellner, a two-time childhood cancer survivor who started this nonprofit at just 18 years old while still in high school, Leia's Kids has spent nearly a decade showing up for families across the country in real, concrete ways.

If you need financial help right now, their grant program offers $500 to families with a child actively in treatment or within five years of finishing treatment. The money can go toward anything insurance won't cover — gas to appointments, groceries, childcare for siblings, unpaid bills. The child must have been diagnosed before turning 18 and families must be U.S. citizens or residents. Apply directly here: 🔗 leiaskids.org/financial-grant-application/

For the little ones, Leia's Kids hosts Family Dream Parties for children ages 0 to 17 battling cancer. Families pick their theme, favorite characters, sports teams, colors, and activities, and Leia's Kids makes it happen — overnight stays at places like Great Wolf Lodge, at-home parties with characters, sports game tickets, shopping experiences, hospital room decorations, and more. It's a moment of pure joy in the middle of an incredibly hard season. Apply here: 🔗 leiaskids.org/family-party-application/

For teen and young adult cancer patients, they run the Illuminate Beach Bash — an all-inclusive mental health retreat for young women ages 17 to 25. Ten young women are selected each year for a beach getaway where everything is covered: housing, meals, workshops, activities, and airport transportation. A registered nurse is on-site the entire weekend. There is a $75 nonrefundable deposit to hold your spot. Apply here: 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelEotEZ32-Flkkazn2655CfQsFrsGl_ySGM60Da97nyZMUPw/viewform

For moms and daughters navigating cancer together, there's the Mother-Daughter Retreat — a weekend designed to help mothers and daughters reconnect, process, and heal side by side. Open to daughters ages 17 to 25 in active treatment or post-treatment, from any state. Everything is covered except a $200 nonrefundable deposit for both mother and daughter. If a mother has passed away, a grandmother or aunt who served as primary caregiver may attend in her place. Register here: 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXSEyGO5mmv-nELTO8xeKCNwk84xSW5k68HwrPInuDLmmDMg/viewform

Every December, Leia's Kids sponsors 20 North Texas families with homemade Christmas dinners and gifts. They also bring their Hope Library of books directly into pediatric oncology units nationwide — children's books explaining cancer, battle plan journals, grief journals, and the Princess Marygold series.

Follow them and stay connected: Facebook at 📘 Facebook — Instagram at 📸 Instagram — YouTube at ▶️ YouTube

Reach them directly at 📧 leia@leiaskids.org or call 📞 740-381-0214. This is an organization built by someone who has lived every bit of this journey — and it shows.

Cuando a tu hijo le diagnostican cáncer, todo cambia de golpe: las finanzas, las emociones, el agotamiento y la sensación de estar completamente solo. Leia's Kids fue creada exactamente para ese momento y para todos los difíciles que vienen después. Fundada por Leia Hunt Toellner, una sobreviviente de cáncer infantil que comenzó esta organización a los 18 años mientras todavía estaba en la preparatoria, Leia's Kids lleva casi una década apoyando a familias de todo el país de formas reales y concretas.

Si necesitas ayuda financiera ahora mismo, su programa de becas ofrece $500 a familias con un hijo en tratamiento activo o dentro de los cinco años posteriores. El dinero puede usarse para lo que el seguro no cubre: gasolina, comida, cuidado de hermanos, facturas sin pagar. Aplica aquí: 🔗 leiaskids.org/financial-grant-application/

Para los más pequeños, organizan Fiestas de los Sueños Familiares para niños de 0 a 17 años que están combatiendo el cáncer. Las familias eligen el tema, los personajes favoritos, colores y actividades — y Leia's Kids lo hace realidad. Aplica aquí: 🔗 leiaskids.org/family-party-application/

Para pacientes jóvenes de 17 a 25 años, ofrecen el Illuminate Beach Bash, un retiro de salud mental completamente pagado en la playa. Todo está cubierto: alojamiento, comidas, talleres, actividades y transporte desde el aeropuerto. Se requiere un depósito no reembolsable de $75. Aplica aquí: 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelEotEZ32-Flkkazn2655CfQsFrsGl_ySGM60Da97nyZMUPw/viewform

Para mamás e hijas que enfrentan el cáncer juntas, existe el Retiro de Madre e Hija, abierto a hijas de 17 a 25 años de cualquier estado. Todo está cubierto excepto un depósito de $200. Si la mamá ha fallecido, una abuela o tía que haya sido la cuidadora principal puede asistir en su lugar. Regístrate aquí: 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXSEyGO5mmv-nELTO8xeKCNwk84xSW5k68HwrPInuDLmmDMg/viewform

Cada diciembre patrocinan a 20 familias del norte de Texas con cenas navideñas y regalos. También llevan su biblioteca de libros directamente a unidades de oncología pediátrica en todo el país.

Síguelos en Facebook: 📘 Facebook — Instagram: 📸 Instagram — YouTube: ▶️ YouTube

Contáctalos en 📧 leia@leiaskids.org o llama al 📞 740-381-0214.