Newsroom
Media Center
Press releases, news coverage, and reflections from Kyra's Hope. For interview requests or media inquiries, our team is happy to help.
Announcements
Press Releases
Official announcements from the foundation, including new programs, events, and partnerships.
Press Release
September 3, 2026
Kyra's Hope Foundation Launches Collaboration to Accelerate Childhood Cancer Research Through Technology
The foundation's inaugural Kyra's Hope Research Grant supports development of the Rare Cancer Atlas, an open-source, AI-powered research platform at Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Press Release
June 2, 2026
Kyra's Hope Foundation Brings Inaugural Day of Light to Childhood Cancer Families
The foundation's first Day of Light brought nearly 40 childhood cancer family members and about 30 volunteers together for an afternoon of art, music, Courage Portraits, and connection, held in the month Kyra would have turned 13.
Press Release
May 26, 2026
Kyra's Hope Foundation Launches Research Grant Program to Accelerate Childhood Cancer Research
Mercer Island based nonprofit launches a new model combining research funding and engineering and AI expertise to accelerate progress in rare childhood cancers like Ewing sarcoma.
Press Release
May 19, 2026
Kyra's Hope Foundation and Sam Day Foundation Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Childhood Cancer Research
Two family-founded nonprofits unite scientific rigor with technology, AI, and systems thinking to advance research for rare and underfunded childhood cancers.
Press Release
March 15, 2026
Kyra's Hope Foundation Announces Inaugural Day of Light
On what would have been Kyra Gupta's 13th birthday, Kyra's Hope Foundation will host its first annual Day of Light, a sanctuary day for pediatric cancer families in the Pacific Northwest.
Coverage
In the News
Selected coverage of Kyra's Hope from reporters and outlets across our community.
Mercer Island goes gold for childhood cancer awareness
Coverage of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day across the Mercer Island School District, organized with Kyra's Hope Foundation, which delivered more than 4,400 gold ribbons for students and staff to wear. The article notes that Gov. Bob Ferguson proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month statewide that same day at the foundation's request, and it features Lakeridge Elementary's Courageous Lion Award, created to honor Kyra Gupta, along with remarks from co-founders Alka Kumari and Gautam Kumar.
Read at Mercer Island Reporter
Kyra's Hope Foundation launches collaboration to accelerate childhood cancer research through technology
Mercer Island Reporter's coverage of the foundation's inaugural Kyra's Hope Research Grant and its collaboration with Fred Hutch Cancer Center to build the Rare Cancer Atlas, an open-source, AI-powered research platform for childhood cancers. The article describes the model of embedding volunteer engineers, AI specialists, and data scientists alongside research teams, with roughly 500 hours of technical expertise anticipated for the first project.
Read at Mercer Island Reporter
Kyra's Hope Foundation of MI brings people together at event
Coverage of the Walk for Hope at 60 Acres Park in Redmond, where nearly 100 participants walked a 3.1 mile route in support of children facing cancer and their families. The article features remarks from foundation co-founders Alka Kumari and Gautam Kumar, along with Redmond City Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer.
Read at Mercer Island ReporterKyra's Legacy Is Changing the Fight Against Childhood Cancer | Gautam Kumar | Madaraka Festival Podcast
Gautam Kumar, co-founder of Kyra's Hope Foundation and Kyra's father, returns to the Madaraka Festival Podcast with host Simon Javan Okelo to share Kyra's story and how a family turns loss into hope for others. The conversation covers the Hope Boxes, meals, grocery assistance, and milestone gifts that support children in treatment, and the foundation's research model that brings AI, data, and engineering volunteers alongside scientists.
Watch on YouTube
Kyra's Hope Foundation holds a Walk for Hope
Coverage of the Walk for Hope, a family-friendly community walkathon on August 2 at 60 Acres South Field in Redmond, supporting children battling cancer and their families. The article invites families, corporate teams, and volunteers to turn a simple walk into meaningful action.
Read at Mercer Island Reporter
Kyra's Hope Foundation launches grant program to accelerate childhood cancer research
Mercer Island Reporter's coverage of Kyra's Hope Foundation's new research grant program, which pairs research funding with embedded engineering and AI expertise to accelerate cures for childhood cancers, beginning with Ewing sarcoma.
Read at Mercer Island ReporterKyra's Hope Foundation Launches Grant Program
Coverage of Kyra's Hope Foundation's new research grant program, which combines direct funding with embedded engineering and AI expertise to accelerate cures for rare childhood cancers, beginning with Ewing sarcoma. The piece notes that the inaugural award will be announced in fall, with applications open now at research.kyrashope.org.
Read at Talk On The RockThe Reality of Childhood Cancer No One Talks About | Gautam Kumar | Madaraka Festival Podcast
Gautam Kumar, co-founder of Kyra's Hope Foundation and Kyra's father, sits down with Madaraka Festival to discuss the realities of childhood cancer, what families navigate that few outside the hospital see, and why the foundation is investing in research, technology, and care for families.
Watch on YouTubeWhat happens when grief becomes purpose? | Alka Kumari | Madaraka Festival Podcast
Alka Kumari, co-founder of Kyra's Hope Foundation and Kyra's mother, joins Madaraka Festival to talk about loss, the work of turning grief into purpose, and the families the foundation walks alongside every day.
Watch on YouTube
Fashion for a Cause: Styled For Strength Fashion Show Benefits Non-Profit's Ladybug House & Kyra's Hope Foundation in Seattle, WA
Coverage of the Styled for Strength benefit fashion show on April 11 in Bellevue, featuring Filipino-based designers and benefiting Kyra's Hope Foundation alongside Ladybug House. The article highlights how creativity and compassion can come together to uplift families navigating serious childhood illness.
Read at Hollywood Times
Island blood drive turns loss into lifesaving impact
Coverage of the Gift of Life blood drive on Mercer Island, organized by Kyra's Hope Foundation in partnership with Bloodworks Northwest. The drive filled the donation bus and represented a community choosing to act in Kyra's memory.
Read at Mercer Island Reporter
Art for Hope event honors Kyra Gupta
Recap of the Art for Hope gathering at the Mercer Island Library, where neighbors came together to craft holiday cards and ornaments in honor of Kyra Gupta and to send messages of hope to children in treatment.
Read at Mercer Island Reporter
Art for Hope event will honor Kyra Gupta
Preview of the Art for Hope community event at the Mercer Island Library, inviting families to make holiday cards and ornaments for pediatric cancer patients in honor of Kyra Gupta's legacy.
Read at Mercer Island ReporterFrom the Foundation
Blog
Reflections, program updates, and the thinking behind our work, written by the team and our community.
April 1, 2026 • 3 min read
Why We Do This Work
A note on the families who shape every decision we make, and why showing up quietly often matters more than showing up loudly.
By Kyra's Hope Foundation, Founding Team
Read postMarch 1, 2026 • 4 min read
What Goes Into a Hope Box
Every Hope Box is hand-assembled by volunteers. Here is what we put inside, and the thinking behind each item.
By Kyra's Hope Foundation, Programs Team
Read postPress Contact
Press inquiries
For interviews, photo requests, or background on Kyra's Hope Foundation programs, please reach out and we will respond within two business days.
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