Kyra's Hope Squad
Youth Leadership Program
Born from the circle of love that held Kyra steady through her fight — now a movement that stands tall for every child walking that same road.
The Origin
A squad that became a legacy
During Kyra's three-year battle with Ewing sarcoma, her Support Squad was her circle — a group of young people who stood tall beside her, kept her going, and refused to let her face the hardest days alone. Their presence wasn't just kindness. It was courage.
Then
Kyra's Support Squad
A circle of young people who held Kyra up — who showed up at chemo, wrote her notes, made her laugh on the hardest days, and refused to let her fight alone.
The love that held one child.
Now
Kyra's Hope Squad
A youth leadership movement that takes the seed of hope Kyra planted and grows it — standing tall for every child walking the same road, becoming the voice they cannot yet find.
A movement that lifts every child.
“Kyra didn't just fight for herself. Her final act — donating her body to medical science — was a gift to the next child. Kyra's Hope Squad carries that same spirit forward.”
The Mission
Stand tall. Speak up. Move hope forward.
Stand tall for children
Show up for children in treatment — through care packages, milestone celebrations, and the message that they are not alone.
Be a voice
Advocate for children who cannot advocate for themselves — in schools, communities, and public spaces.
Grow the hope
Take the seed Kyra planted and grow it — through leadership, service, and a legacy project that outlives the year.
The Journey
One Squad, four levels
Open entry, earned advancement. Anyone 10 or older can join — no application, no gatekeeping. Levels are earned through contribution, not time served.
Hope Starter
10 – 13
Find your footing. Build your first Hope Box, write your first letter, take the Squad pledge.
Hope Builder
13 – 16
Step up. Lead school presentations, join advocacy campaigns, support the Gala and Art for Hope.
Hope Leader
16+
Take ownership. Mentor younger members, design and deliver your Legacy Project.
Squad Captain
17+ / Senior
The highest level — earned, not assigned. Mentor across all levels and help shape the Squad's future.
Life happens. A member who goes quiet is never penalized — your level holds, your pin still means something, and the door is always open.
What You'll Do
Signature activities — every member, every level
Build a Hope Box
Your first act as a Squad member — hands on, personal, direct.
Write a letter
A real letter, in your own hand, to a child or family navigating cancer.
Attend Day of Light
May 31 — Kyra's birthday. The emotional anchor of the Squad year.
Take the pledge
A spoken commitment that marks the beginning of your service.
Art for Hope & signature events
Create alongside the community at Art for Hope, holiday gift drives, and other foundation events.
Attend the annual Gala
Be recognized at Kyra's Hope Foundation Gala — standing among families, researchers, and supporters.
The Legacy Project
Every Hope Leader designs and delivers one project that outlasts the year — a fundraiser, an awareness campaign, an art installation, a recurring service program. Not just a moment — a mark. The most direct expression of what Kyra did: leaving something behind.
The Pledge
“I join Kyra's Hope Squad to stand tall for children who are fighting, to speak up for families who are carrying more than they should carry alone, and to grow the hope that Kyra planted — in her name, and in theirs.”
Spoken aloud at induction by every new member
What Squad Members Carry
More than a program — a way of being
Courage
To show up when it's hard
Compassion
To feel what others carry
Voice
To speak for those who can't
Legacy
To build something that lasts
Community
To never stand alone
Hope
Kyra's greatest gift
Join the Squad
Two ways in. One Squad.
Any young person 10 or older can join — no application, no gatekeeping. Just heart.
Independent
Join directly — as an individual from any school, homeschooled, or connected through community events. Register below, receive your pin, take the pledge, and begin.
School-Partnered
Through partner schools in the Mercer Island and Seattle area. Service hours count toward graduation, and teachers can serve as Squad chapter leads.
Join Kyra's Hope Squad
Fill out the form and we'll welcome you aboard within a few days.
“Kyra planted the seed. The Squad grows the hope.”
Every child in treatment deserves to know someone is standing tall for them. Kyra's Hope Squad makes that promise real.
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