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history & founder

the beginning...

John inspired his mother to form the John Voight Memorial Foundation, Inc., later named Kids Beating Cancer, with a simple question, "Mommy, why do kids get leukemia?" John was energetic, loving, thoughtful child mature beyond his age.   John was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome that advanced to Acute Myelogenic Leukemia at the age of 5, when his mom was 8 months pregnant with his first sister, Chelsea.   His 4-year-old brother and inseparable buddy, Michael Todd, was his miracle marrow donor twice.   Before John's death at the young age of nine, he suffered many life-threatening complications, months of hospitalizations, years of home nursing, endless medications, painful procedures, and many disappointments. His fighting sprit, tenacity, and hope for a cure remained positive and determined.   His faith never wavered.   His compassion for other sick children inspired his dreams to one day become a doctor and cure childhood cancers. Sadly, John's disease denied him a chance at his dream.

During John's four year battle for a cure, he longed for simple joys most kids take for granted; to return to school, play with friends, and just be a 'normal kid' again.   Although John's transplants did not cure his disease, he was given four extra years to play and laugh with his brother and two sisters, and bring joy to his devoted mother and grandparents.   John often asked, "Why do kids get cancer?"   It pained him to see another child suffering and his heart ached for the many children he formed deep friendships with who lost their battle to the ravages of cancer and it's treatments.   Now sixteen years since his death, his question is still not answered, but the effort it started has afforded hundreds of children the hope of a cure and the enhanced potential to enjoy the simple childhood pleasures, all because a young boy asked "Why?"

A personal letter from the President and Founder:

  Dear Friends,

    For those of us with children, we take great joy in their lives and happiness. In 1991, I was fighting for my nine year old son's life as he struggled to survive his four-year battle with leukemia. He died in January 1992, two and half years after his second bone marrow transplant. Even though he did not survive, I knew that marrow transplantation was, and still is, the only potential cure for children like John. As a memorial to that brave little boy, I started Kids Beating Cancer, Inc., (KBC), an organization devoted to; unique support services for children like John, and their families. Kids Beating Cancer places its highest priority in recruiting new potential marrow, blood stem cell, and cord blood donors onto the National Marrow Donor Registry, so all children whose survival depends on receiving an un-related marrow or blood stem cell transplant, regardless of race or economic standing, have the maximum opportunity for a cure. Kids Beating Cancer has recruited and tested tens of thousands of new potential donors willing if ever called upon, to give the gift of life to someone they don't know and may never meet. Over 360 transplants are preformed each month with volunteer donors. The lives that are saved through stem cell transplantation are my tribute to John.

    During this time take a moment to think about those you love the most, perhaps a child or a grandchild. If you are fortunate, they are healthy and strong, but not every child today is so lucky. We never know when leukemia, cancer, or similar life threatening diseases might strike someone we know or love. You can light the way and offer these children and their families HOPE. Kids Beating Cancer is saving lives by recruiting and funding the lab testing necessary to identify marrow and blood stem cell donors for children whose life depends on receiving a stem cell transplant.   These selfless volunteers are willing to give a second chance at life to a child stricken by a life-threatening disease. Helping these children and their families hold their lives together while struggling with the devastation of the long and complex treatment process, is what Kids Beating Cancer is all about. As a thankful memorial to your healthy child, grandchild, or someone you love, give a unique gift, a contribution to Kids Beating Cancer in their honor.   Your gift will allow children with cancer to have the hope of a cure and a second chance to live, laugh, and “just be a kid.”

God Bless,

Margaret Voight Guedes
CEO, President, & Founder

Kids Beating Cancer, Inc.

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