our story
Two decades of impact, innovation, and hope.
Turning a family's tragedy into a world-wide mission and movement.
Curing Kids Cancer was inspired by the life and courageous fight of Killian Owen, a sports-loving little boy diagnosed with leukemia at age five who passed away in 2003 after years of treatment and determination.
What began in 2005 as Grainne Owen’s mission to honor his life has grown into a movement that has raised more than $34 million for pediatric cancer research and treatments, funding clinical trials and partnering with leading institutions around the world — all made possible by the incredible support of the CKC community over the past 20 years.
2005-2025: 20 years of hope
Killian's legacy lives on through our work.
Five-year-old Killian Owen was like many other boys his age. The green-eyed little blonde loved playing any kind of sport: baseball, basketball, and swimming were among his favorites. He and his twin brother, Garrett, enjoyed playing and competing together.
And then, on December 10, 1999, Killian was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, the most common (and curable) type of childhood cancer.
Killian fought hard. From chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, to an experimental targeted treatment at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
One of his brother’s coaches was so moved by Killian’s brave fight, he asked the team to forego the customary end-of-season gift. Instead, he asked that a donation be made to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Killian was being treated.
Despite the best efforts of those caring for Killian and his own determination, the leukemia’s intense hold was too strong. It took his life on July 27, 2003.
He was nine years old.
After the devastating loss of their son, Grainne was moved to do something meaningful to help find cures for childhood cancers.
Since Killian loved all things sports, why not raise funds with kids’ sports teams in mind?
And so, in 2005, Grainne and Clay Owen founded Curing Kids Cancer to celebrate Killian’s life and fund research that will find cures for childhood cancer.
The organization began as Coaches Curing Kids Cancer. Inspired by the first coach’s generosity, the initial format for fundraising was established: instead of giving gifts to coaches at the end of a season, teams could donate money in their coaches’ honor.
The goal was to raise $5,000 the first season and donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Killian was treated, for ongoing pediatric cancer research.
The program far exceeded the goal, raising $45,000 in its first year!
The inaugural golf tournament "teed off" a yearly tradition for Curing Kids Cancer, increasing the amount raised that first year even more.
Then in December 2005, CKC proudly presented our very first check, in the amount of $72,000, to Dr. John Bergsagel at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Another event that has become an annual fundraiser is the Fire Truck Pull, presented by Aflac. First held in South Carolina, this event has now spread to Texas and Michigan. Pictured here is the check presentation from the inaugural event.
Through partnership with Mecum auctions that began in 2011, we celebrated an incredible milestone—raising our first $1 million!
Joined by Dr. Jim Amatruda and Dr. Eric Schafer, this achievement marked a major step forward for CKC.
In 2015, CKC sent our first $100,000 to support Dr. Stephan Grupp’s groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy research, providing critical treatment funding for four children.
Since then, CKC has awarded over $1 million for research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
With the development of CAR T-Cell therapy for leukemia, brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children.
In response, we began funding the CONNECT Consortium at Cincinnati and Nationwide Children’s Hospitals to advance trials for high-risk pediatric brain tumors.
In 2017, we retired our original logo and introduced a new heart icon, symbolizing our passion and dedication to finding cures.
Built from the letters CKC, the design reflects our mission and commitment to the children and families we serve.
In 2021, we hit a monumental milestone, raising $20 million to fund critical pediatric cancer research and bring us closer to a cure.
We celebrated 10 years of partnership with Mecum Auctions, where together we’ve raised millions to support pediatric cancer research.
Here’s to a decade of making a difference!
The Future Leaders in Medicine program began with our inaugural 5K in Columbia, South Carolina, and has since grown to reach four more states: Texas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and California!
In 2025 we celebrated 20 YEARS as an organization AND the milestone of having raised over $30 MILLION to fund life-saving pediatric cancer research!
We still have a few 20th Anniversary Items in our shop.
Our Impact to date
CKC is dedicated to funding cutting edge research.
...medical facilities in 29 states are conducting research supported through CKC funding.
...have been given to childhood cancer research since our founding in 2005.
...countries are being impacted through CKC’s investment in life-saving research.
