Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta

What Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta does

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a Calgary-based registered Canadian charity (registration #899409171RR0001) that delivers a continuum of support services to children and families affected by childhood cancer across Alberta. The organization's founding was catalyzed in 1986 by Christine McIver following her son Derek's cancer diagnosis, with the organization formally incorporated in 1994 as the Kids Cancer Camps of Alberta Society and renamed in 1999 when it expanded beyond camp programs into research funding and hospital support. Today the organization operates through three primary program pillars: Camp and Outreach (Camp Kindle residential facility in Water Valley, SunRise day camps in Calgary and Edmonton, year-round camps, teen leadership, PEER exercise, child life, meal support, and counselling); Education Support (one-to-one tutoring, Cancer in the Classroom school presentations, family education conferences, and post-secondary scholarships); and Hospital Support and Research (ReKindle Clinic at Alberta Children's Hospital, the Experimental and Applied Therapeutics program with the University of Calgary, and partnership in the Terry Fox PROFYLE precision oncology consortium). Reach extends to 37+ Alberta communities and approximately 1,752 participants across 20+ programs annually, supported by 300 volunteers contributing 18,700 hours (equivalent to $704,000 in contributed value).

The organization's service portfolio is human-delivered rather than technology-mediated; there is no proprietary software platform, no AI/ML component, and no app product. Distribution is multi-modal: residential camp facilities, hospital-embedded programs, in-home and remote child life and tutoring services, school presentations, and online donations processed through the Zeffy platform. The PEER (Pediatric Cancer Patients and Survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery) program is the only cancer-specific pediatric exercise program in Canada, and the organization has invested more than $15.2 million cumulatively in childhood cancer research.

Kids Cancer Care is funded almost entirely through donations and fundraising events rather than fees to families — all programs are offered at no cost to eligible Alberta families. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time, monthly, in-honour, in-memory, legacy, and securities gifts), signature fundraising events (Barley & Smoke, Ride of Courage, Rock Your Locks, High Hopes Challenge), and corporate sponsorships across energy, financial services, homebuilding, and retail sectors. Per Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, the charity does not issue donation refunds. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and historically led by founder Christine McIver; it has no parent company, equity backing, or institutional investors. Active operational indicators include an $8.9 million Camp Kindle construction project launched in September 2024 and a new Suncor/Calgary Flames Foundation partnership for the PEER program announced December 18, 2025.

Name

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta

Legal name

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta

Website

https://kidscancercare.ab.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a Calgary-based registered charity delivering camps, education support, therapeutic exercise, counselling, hospital programs, and research funding to children with cancer and their families across Alberta, funded through donations and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Childhood Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child Care Services (6244)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Childhood cancer support
• Pediatric oncology services
• Nonprofit family programs
• Therapeutic camping programs
• Cancer education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donations, monthly giving programs, and legacy gifts. The organization accepts one-time gifts, gifts in honour, gifts in memory, and securities donations. Canadian registered charities cannot refund donations per Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from signature events including Barley & Smoke BBQ, Ride of Courage cycling event, Rock Your Locks, and various community fundraisers. Corporate sponsors also contribute through event partnerships.
3. Donation Refund Policy: In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, Canadian registered charities cannot refund donations. Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta does not issue refunds for gifts received.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a registered Canadian charity providing a comprehensive continuum of support for children with cancer and their families across Alberta. Services include therapeutic camp programs (Camp Kindle and SunRise day camps), the PEER pediatric exercise program, child life services, tutoring, scholarships, hospital support, counselling, meal support, teen leadership development, and funding for childhood cancer research. All programs are delivered free of charge to eligible Alberta families.

Product overview

Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is a charitable organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services supporting children with cancer and their families across Alberta. The organization provides a continuum of care including: therapeutic recreation through Camp and Outreach Programs (Camp Kindle, Summer Camps, Year Round Camps); clinical support services including the PEER Exercise Program, Child Life Services, and Hospital Support; educational services including Tutoring, Cancer in the Classroom, and Scholarships; and research programs including the Experimental and Applied Therapeutics (ExpAT) Program and participation in the Terry Fox PROFYLE initiative. The organization also supports families through Meal Support, Counselling Services, Teen Leadership Programs, and an International Residency Training Program for pediatric oncology. Online donations and event registration are processed through the Zeffy platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Camp and Outreach Programs Year-round and summer camp programs including Camp Kindle (Water Valley, Alberta) and SunRise day camps in Calgary and Edmonton. Designed to help children affected by cancer ages 4-18 navigate their experience from a place of strength through recreation, peer connection, and adventure activities.
• PEER Exercise Program Pediatric Cancer Patients and Survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery — a cancer-specific therapeutic exercise program for children building physical literacy, confidence, and social connections through physical activities and team-based sports. Described as the only cancer-specific exercise program for children in Canada.
• Child Life Services Child life specialists provide emotional support and help children manage fear and anxiety around medical procedures through medical play, art therapy, and the Child Life at Home program.
• Counselling Services Emotional and psychological support services delivered by registered social workers and child life specialists for children and families affected by childhood cancer.
• Education Support Comprehensive educational support including one-to-one customized tutoring for cancer-related learning challenges, Cancer in the Classroom school presentations, and post-secondary scholarships for childhood cancer survivors including the Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship Fund.
• Hospital Support Programs helping Alberta children receive cancer care within the province, including the ReKindle Clinic for daily medications and routine medical procedures, Pizza Nights, Beaded Journey, music therapy, and family resources at Alberta Children's Hospital.
• Meal Support Home-cooked meals delivered to newly diagnosed families at the hospital, providing nourishment and community connection during treatment.
• Teen Leadership Program Leadership program helping teens affected by cancer develop leadership and transferable life skills, including volunteer service trips such as the Mexico healthcare initiative.
• Terry Fox PROFYLE Research Initiative Pan-Canadian precision oncology project providing $16.4 million to establish molecular profiles of patients' tumors resistant to current therapies. Kids Cancer Care is one of 30 partners collaborating in the initiative with Terry Fox Research Institute.
• Experimental and Applied Therapeutics (ExpAT) Program Collaborative research program between Alberta Children's Hospital and University of Calgary supporting discovery, screening, and pre-clinical trials of new therapies for children with high-risk cancers.
• International Residency Training Program (HOT) International residency training program in pediatric hematology, oncology and transplantation at Alberta Children's Hospital, training doctors from developing nations to build capacity in their home countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% survival rate for Canadian children with cancer thanks to research advances
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• SuncorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Suncor has partnered with the Calgary Flames Foundation to fund Kids Cancer Care's PEER (Pediatric Cancer Patients and Survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery) exercise program. The partnership specifically supports physical activities and team-based sports opportunities for young cancer patients and their siblings. Suncor hosted a Night of Giving event on December 18 to celebrate this community initiative with families.
• Calgary Flames FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor fundraising partner providing significant financial support for camp programs and organizational operations.
• Great ClipssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Kids Cancer Care programs and fundraising efforts.
• IntellicasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among the organization's generous fundraising partners.
• CIBCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Kids Cancer Care programs.
• Spur PetroleumsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among fundraising partners.
• RBCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Kids Cancer Care.
• EnerflexsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting the organization's programs.
• Trico HomessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among fundraising partners.
• SouthlandsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Kids Cancer Care.
• Daytona HomessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among fundraising partners.
• Terry Fox Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKids Cancer Care is one of 30 partners collaborating in the Terry Fox PROFYLE (Precision Oncology For Young people) initiative, a pan-Canadian project providing $16.4 million to establish molecular profiles of patients' tumours that are resistant to current therapies.
• University of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey research partner hosting the Hughes Children's Cancer Research Centre, Experimental & Applied Therapeutics program, and multiple research chairs funded by Kids Cancer Care.
• Alberta Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for research programs, hospital support services, and where children receive cancer treatment.
• Alberta Children’s Hospital FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-established research chairs and collaborative programs supporting pediatric oncology research at University of Calgary.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Starlight Children's Foundation Canada: Provides programs (including hospital-based entertainment, camp experiences, and family support) to children with serious illnesses including cancer. Comparable service model targeting pediatric patients and families in Canada.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta: Provides accommodation and support to families of sick children receiving medical care in Alberta. Directly comparable to Kids Cancer Care in mission focus on supporting families of seriously ill children in the same geographic region, though it serves broader pediatric illnesses rather than cancer specifically.
• Kids Cancer Alliance (Camp Quality Canada): Provides camp and support programs for children with cancer and their families across Canada, often in partnership with pediatric oncology centers. Operates an overlapping program portfolio (summer camps, year-round programming, family support).
• Childhood Cancer Canada: National Canadian foundation funding childhood cancer research, supporting families, and advocating for survivors. Direct peer in mission around pediatric cancer research investment and family support programming in Canada.
• Camp Ooch & Wiggles (Camp Oochigeas): Ontario-based charity providing camp experiences and year-round support to children affected by cancer. Closely comparable operating model (residential camp + outreach + hospital programs) and direct peer for childhood cancer camp programming.
• Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation: National Canadian organization supporting families of children with cancer through peer support, financial assistance, and advocacy. Christine McIver served as a past president of Candlelighters Canada, making this a direct peer in mission and approach.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's largest national cancer charity with a much broader mission across all cancer types and age groups. Kids Cancer Care's founder Christine McIver initially ran cancer camps under the Canadian Cancer Society before founding her own organization.
• Terry Fox Foundation: National cancer research foundation; Kids Cancer Care is one of 30 partners in the Terry Fox PROFYLE precision oncology initiative. Overlapping research funding mission with much larger national scope.
• Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation: Co-funder of research chairs and collaborative programs with Kids Cancer Care at University of Calgary. Adjacent peer covering broader pediatric care fundraising in the same geography and clinical partner for hospital-based programs.

Regional players

• Wellspring Alberta: Alberta-based nonprofit offering cancer support programs (primarily for adults) including exercise, counseling, and peer support. Comparable operating model and regional presence, but focused on adults rather than children with cancer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KCCFA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-cancer-care-foundation-of-alberta
• Instagraminstagram.com/kidscancercare
• Xx.com/kidscancercare

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta