Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children diagnosed with cancer and blood-related diseases by offering programs to help families think, feel, and smile.
Our mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the educational, emotional, and recreational support needed as a result of the long hours of chemotherapy, illness, and isolation.
314.275.7440 • friendsofkids.org 16 Sunnen Drive Suite 161 • St. Louis, MO • 63143
Friends of Kids with Cancer
@Friends_of_Kids
New Board Member
Mark Kronemer
MARK KRONEMER is a retired Vice President of a financial investment company with over 30-years industry experience. He has served on the Board of Directors for multiple nonprofit organizations, some as Board President.
As a long-time volunteer and event committee member for Friends of Kids with Cancer, Mark has helped bring in thousands of dollars to
this charity, has helped with set-up and take-down of events, and has volunteered to hand out gifts to patients at parties.
A warm welcome to Mark Kronemer to the Friends of Kids with Cancer’s Board of Directors.
2025 Impact Report by the Numbers
We’re proud to share our impact for 2025, helping families facing pediatric cancer to think, feel, and smile, at no cost thanks to the financial support raised at our major fundraisers, and the support of dedicated volunteers.*
APPROXIMATELY 2,700 FAMILIES SERVED
TUTORING/EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
• 1,074 Sessions
• 83 Patients, Siblings, & Caregivers Served
SCHOLARSHIPS
• 14 Recipients
• $76,000 Awarded
EDUCATIONAL TESTING
• 37 Sessions
• 23 Patients Served
COUNSELING
• 706 Sessions
• 92 Patients, Siblings, & Caregivers Served
ART THERAPY
• 1,987 Sessions
• 595 Patients, Siblings, & Caregivers Served
MUSIC THERAPY
• 579 Sessions
• 108 Patients, Siblings, & Caregivers Served
MAJOR FUNDRAISERS
22nd Annual Trivia Night
Over $36,000 RECORD BREAKING!
27th Annual Golf Tournament & Auction Over $409,000
31st Annual Fashion Show & Boutique
Over $531,000 RECORD BREAKING!
*Data
25th Annual Walk with a Friend Over $45,000
16th Annual Art from the Heart Over $103,000 RECORD BREAKING!
Hats on Days / Jeans Days Over $12,000
Friends Forever Monthly Giving Over $31,000
400 Family Garden Night Attendees
725 Back-to-School Event Attendees
850 Fall Festival Event Attendees
875 Winter Wonderland Attendees
993 Hockey, Soccer, Baseball, & Theatre Tickets Gifted to Families
194 Family Members Adopted for Adopt-A-Family Gift Drive
497 New Coats Gifted to Families
1,550 Seasonal Gifts to Patients
180 Special Assistance Recipients
29 Relapse Assistance Recipients
74 Smile Maker Recipients
21 Memory Maker Recipients
39 Bone Marrow Transplant
Gift Recipients
72 End of Chemo Gift Recipients
42 End of Radiation Gift Recipients
33 Jake’s Crew iPads
50 Toy Chest/Radiation Recipients
279 Sibling Special Assistance Recipients
VOLUNTEERS
3,495 Volunteer Hours Donated
240+ Individual Volunteers
64 New Volunteer Sign-Ups
Scholarship Recipient, Amelia, “Living Her Best Life” in College
In 2025, Friends of Kids with Cancer awarded then recent high school graduate, Amelia, with a scholarship to support her next steps in life at University of Illinois-Chicago.
As her second semester as a freshman started, Amelia’s mother, Cary, reached out to thank Friends of Kids for supporting her daughter to graduate high school and attend university.
Amelia, like many teenagers in treatment for cancer, was provided educational plans, neurological testing, and one-on-one guidance to move through the often complicated learning effects of treatment. She saw Dr. Jim Russell, a provider of such services for Friends of Kids with Cancer.
“Without Friends and Dr. Russell, Amelia would have not had proper support to make it out of high school, much less get to college... without the benefit of his reports and expertise,” Cary says. “It’s such incredibly important work the organization does. My family and I are forever grateful.”
“Thanks for helping our kid through the worst time in our lives — and then setting her up for lifelong success.”
Now, after her first semester is over, Amelia told her mom that she’s “thriving” in college. Cary boasts that Amelia is doing well in classes, enjoys them, has friends, and has joined campus-sponsored clubs.
She’s learning how to navigate Chicago with public transportation and loves the view from her dorm.
“Thanks for helping our kid through the worst time in our lives — and then setting her up for lifelong success,” Cary wrote.
As a reference for Amelia’s scholarship application, Ashley Lock, social studies teacher, wrote, “Amelia represents the very best of what young cancer survivors can achieve when given the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Amelia at University of Illinois-Chicago
Amelia in front of her dorm window.
Amelia accepting her the Friends of Kids scholarship with her parents.
Makin g the Season Bright for Hundreds of Families
While Friends of Kids with Cancer creates moments of joy throughout the year, the winter holiday season brings additional needs, requests, and opportunities to show care to children and families facing pediatric cancer.
In addition to our regular educational, emotional, and recreational programing, in 2025, we provided a little extra sparkle to make the season bright for these families who need it most from November through December.
Winter Wonderland Party
family members attended the festive fun with games, prizes, pictures with Santa, cotton candy, and hot cocoa bar.
ADOPT A FAMILY HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE
patient family members received holiday gifts through Adopt-A-Family.
497 NEW COATS
donated and distributed to patients and their families.
Patient Holiday Store
Over 30 patients shopped for their family members with gifts provided by Friends of Kids with Cancer in the hospital setting.
Elf on the Shelf
10 elves were spread throughout St. Louis treatment centers with cheerful and fun scenarios for 12 days. Patients receive prizes for finding the elf each day. Over 1,300 prizes given in 2025.
Over 400 tickets
gifted to families to attend holiday lights events, A Christmas Story at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, and The Nutcracker.
New Year’s Eve Party Kits
235 party kits given to patients to celebrate the new year.
PATIENTS HAVE A GLAMOROUS DAY HELPING TO RAISE A RECORD-BREAKING $531,000 ON THE RUNWAY
In early November, nearly 1,000 generous members of the St. Louis community gathered to celebrate an incredible 31 years of fostering empowerment, carefree silliness, and all-day excitement for children undergoing cancer treatment at Friends of Kids with Cancer’s Fashion Show & Boutique fundraiser.
This event transformed 31 patients into fabulously dressed models whose vibrant personalities bloomed on stage. Throughout the 31 years of annual fashion show events, each and every show stands out as new patients grab the microphone, tell jokes, sing songs, and often transform from shy kids into confident models.
The kids were showered with personalized gifts, two-nights stay in a luxury room at The Ritz-Carlton, and even time on the microphone as our emcee, Susanne Rosenberg,
gave way for joke-telling during the shows. In addition, Dillard’s—Galleria donated each model’s favorite outfit, so they can continue feeling sharp even after the show.
The luncheon and dinner shows raised more than $712,530 in gross donations, thanks to the many individuals and businesses who sponsor, donate funds, time, talents, items, and packages, as well as to all those who attend, buy raffle tickets, bid in the auctions, and raise their paddles to donate.
After accounting for event expenses, including venue costs, catering, and entertainment, and the total net proceeds of $531,000, over half a million dollars, go directly to support Friends of Kids with Cancer’s mission.
In the audience were generous supporters, who clapped and cheered for our models and celebrity guest models. Our special
guest models included doctors, social workers, nurses, community supporters, St. Louis Cardinals alum, St. Louis Blues alum, as well as St. Louis CITY SC players.
“Thank you to all of you for hosting such a beautiful and magical event for these children and families,” Corry Cande, Child Life Specialist for Friends of Kids. “I feel so very lucky to have been able to witness the beauty of this event and how deeply special and touching it was to watch these children and their families be championed and cherished.”
Plus, our amazing emcees, Susanne Rosenberg, Claire Kellett, Randy Karraker, and new fashion emcee, Retta Tussey, introduced all our special speakers, performers, and models down the runway.
Guests enjoyed boutique shopping from a variety of local
vendors and most did not leave empty-handed. A fun photo booth was also offered by Hart of the City Photo Booth.
Many supporters purchased VIP Rooftop Solarium tickets, which featured music, cocktails, and photo booth by Glow Booth.
There are so many people involved in making this event a success and we can’t thank them enough.
Find more photos of our events at friendsofkids.smugmug.com
THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Kathy Manganaro
Donna Strope
Anonymous
Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Gene and Lee Deutsch Mercy TruFusion
Sign up for a Team to Make a Huge Impact at Walk with a Friend
For 26 years, Friends of Kids with Cancer has hosted Walk with a Friend as a way to foster community among young cancer patients and their families while raising funds to support families through our programs.
At the event each year, groups of individuals and families come together for our cause, often in support of a loved one, and always in support of families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis.
Since 2022, two teams have consistently had the highest number of participants on their team: Parker’s Pack and Road Runners. Among these two, other teams have made the top 5 highest number of team participants at various points throughout the last 4 years: Cole’s Crew, Mal’s Pals, Sin Strong, Cora’s Crew, Brave Ben, Mario’s Army, and Midwest Elevator.
Whether the team honors one patient or all patients, their participation as a team supports our mission to enrich the daily lives of families through our programs, because 100% of proceeds go directly to Friends of Kids with Cancer.
Team participants can choose to walk the 1-mile cancer walk, or run the 5K or 10K. Teams that are organized by the family of a pediatric cancer patient can get a discounted rate, which covers the cost of 50 included event shirts.
Participants and teams can use their personalized fundraising page on our race website and share their link with the community to raise funds.
Learn more about Walk with a Friend and how you can build a team, or raise funds for Friends of Kids with Cancer by walking or running at the event by visiting friendsofkids.com/walk.
Eureka High School Orchestra Students Host Joy to the Toys!, Inspired by Fellow Students
Eureka High School’s Orchestra students held a toy drive during the month of December, donating to Friends of Kids with Cancer and bringing in wagons full of toys valued at nearly $2,000.
The students met their challenge to bring in 750 items total to earn a “Cocoa and Cookies” party, a great incentive to get students involved in giving.
However, Mary White, Eureka High School’s Orchestra Director, explained that the biggest motivator are the stories of EHS’s family members who have faced cancer.
“My oldest son, Evan Pina-White, is a leukemia survivor and FOKWC helped him so much through his treatment,” Ms. White wrote.
“I explained to my students how
FOKWC helps: from purchasing a laptop computer for Evan to keep up with his school work, to providing art therapy, to the snacks at the cancer center and fun social events.”
When Ms. White talks to her students about the toy closets and seeing patients choose their toys, “many of them are moved to tears and the desire to do more is palpable in the room,” she says.
Last year, one of EHS’s 125 orchestra students, Seth, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He received services from Friends and walked in the Fashion Show in 2025.
Since 2021, this high school orchestra has given over $14,000 worth of toys to supply The Toy Closet in three St. Louis cancer treatment centers.
“At EHS, our orchestra is very much a family, and I firmly believe in providing students the opportunity to do something bigger than themselves.
Our toy drive is a great way for them to get a glimpse of what helping others can look like and I hope it inspires them to continue as helpers as they graduate and become adults!”
—Mary
White, EHS Orchestra Director
Spotlight On Maggie Heiple
“I feel for what these families are going through. This is the toughest hurdle in their lives. I love doing anything that helps.”
In 2025 a new volunteer emerged, Maggie Heiple, who quietly dove right into volunteering with a backwards ball cap and a smile.
Maggie is a dependable and generous volunteer who donated a total of 40 hours in 2025 and continues to give of her time. She says she began volunteering after a very rough time in her life.
“I feel for what these families are going through. This is the toughest hurdle in their lives. I love doing anything that helps,” she says.
Her favorite volunteer activity is helping at the Fall Festival Halloween Party at Grant’s Farm.
“It’s fun to see everyone dressed in their costumes,” she explained.
Maggie is a tremendous help at special events and in the office by running errands, valuing donations, and more.
Her positive attitude and reliability make a meaningful difference in our organization and the families we serve.
When Maggie isn’t volunteering, she’s listening to music, coloring, playing games, playing ice hockey, and hanging out with her boyfriend and her puppy, Emerson.
Learn more about volunteering at friendsofkids.com/volunteer
HONORARY & MEMORIAL DONATIONS
BOLD NAMES ARE THOSE BEING HONORED OR MEMORIALIZED.
Honor Donations
November—December 2026
Beckham Bass
Janet Bass
Cally Campbell
Eric and Julie Frankenberg
Nicholas and Meg Frankenberg
John and Nancy Lakebrink
Richard and Donna Speckhals
Michael and Linda Wideman
Mary and Kevin Cantwell
Sean and Beth Mohan
Judy Ciapciak
Bert and Laurie Schweizer
Chris Clark
Highcroft Ridge Staff
Campbell Crask
The Cotter Family
Glen Doherty
Colleen Caul & Paul Behrns
Katie Kirby
Brooklyn Drake
Bonnie and Martin Raineri
Heath Elliston
Donovan and Julie Wilkerson
Carla Felumb / Mister Guy Clothiers
Janet McAfee, Inc.
Tim and Kathy Ferguson
Daniel Naert
Christian and Monica Gainer
Christopher and Jill Gainer
Nick Handing
W.N. Epstein & Co
Aggie Jenkins
The Blake Weiners
Jozie Kraemer
Terri and Doug Kraemer
Volkert, Inc.
Margaret Landolt
Rick and Molly Henry
Frannie LaVigne
Ryan Armstrong
Stan Melton
Missouri State Ice Bears Hockey Team
Carlie Lawrence
Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio
Joe Liberman
Steven Schlesinger
Maeve Long
Tom and Pat Long
Erin Roth
Jaxon Menner
Barbara Menner
Jude Morgan
Thomas Davis
Jake Neu
Bill and Kathy Neu
Katie Rose Niccolls
Caroline and Austyn Niccolls
Lilly Ohlsen
Alison Oswald
Mary Pfaff
Mark and Susan Pfaff
Lonnie Rae
Lisa Berra
Gary and Cheryl Ranchel
Genny McIntire
Jeff Rose
Don Rose
Claire Shipman and Kati Jo Spisak
Lisa Frantzis and Ophelia Dahl
Kennedy Smith
Steve and Toby Chod
Marlee Smith
Anna VFW Carroll P. Foster Post 3455
Jonesboro Grade School
Nalee Rae’s Boutique
Tom’s Fish Place LLC
Alex Venardos
Melissa Venardos
Molly Willis
Lou Fusz Athletic
Sophie Ysursa
Althoff Catholic High School
Memorial Donations
November—December 2026
Drew Albritton
Elizabeth and Mike Albritton
Don and Linda Curtis
Adam Behrhorst
Lana Juedemann
Clare Blase
John Blase
Leonard S. Brinker
Eric and Julie Frankenberg
Chris and Dee Klinckhardt
Frederic and Judith Searcy
Jonathan B. Cook
Alicia and Randy Cook
Paula and Roger Wiesler
Erna Deutsch
Gene and Lee Deutsch
Ella Grace Donovan
Laura Aldridge
Michael and Joan Brennan
Julia and Andrew Cook
Jennifer Donovan
Tim and Darlene Friedhoff
Sue Humphrey
The Italitano Family
Master Networks
The Mazzola Family
Mediquip Parts Plus, Inc.
Nathan Meinert
Martin Mraz
Tara Prewitt
Anton Ruehl
Angela Sanders
SSM Imaging Third Party Applications
Team
Tom and Angela Triplett
Chelsey and Bryan Watson
Lori and Louis Wray
Arianna Dougan
Michael Bohnsack
Morgan Ecker
Donald and Maryann Biehl
Philip and Rebecca Douglas
Dennis and Anna Feurer
Marvin Gass
Michael and Carol Geluck
Jane Harris
Chris and Erin Harris
Steven and Teresa Jines
Daniel and Susan Juncker
Curtis and Clarice McKay
Jeff and Cari Outman
Susan Schomber
Charles and Deborah Schumacher
Philip and Kathie Throm
Christopher Ellison
Collector of Revenue
Jake Franzel
Mike and Tess Doll
Mike & Sue Franzel and Bekah, Rob &
Simon Kutten
Abbey Meyer-Moellering
Larry and Diane Wellmeyer
Dr. Karen M. Gauvain
Daniel Sahr
Debbie Gilbert
Louie Gilbert
Bernadette Godfrey
Tim and Megan Godfrey
Derek Griffitts
James and Bonnie Colench
Ellen Henry
Joe and Mary Curotto
Molly and Rick Henry
Janey and Jim Menner
John Henry
Molly and Rick Henry
Jack Higgins
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque School
Carter Hinkle
Melinda Smith
Charlotte Hopfinger
Judy O’Connell
Aaron Hubbell
Michael and Christy Hubbell
Tracey Jenkins
Tracey’s Holiday Hugs Pajama Drive
Jessica Johnson
Matthew Meyer
Bryan Keith
Kyle Bartshe
Harold and Sheila Hale
Cynthia and Matt Kettler
Joe and April Liefer
Patti Rosenkranz
The Don Schober Family
David and Judith Stukenberg
Julie Whitten
Aidan Klenc
Precoat Metals
Amy Habel Koris
Susie and Mike Haywood
Janet Lanigan
Lynne and Terry Wuelling
Bob & Gerry Lanigan
Lynne and Terry Wuelling
Caden Leesmann
Crystal Ruth
Caleb Leslie
Beth and Ryan Leslie
Kate and Kevin Leslie
Dave Lommel
Michelle Lommel
Victor Luechtefeld
The Bricker Family
Anne Malecek
Ed Schmid
Glenn Markway
Carol and Mick Markway
Trish Markway
Markway Strong Trivia
Glenn Meier
Nick McCord
Kelly and Duane McCord
Lauren McDonnal
Joyce Gaugh
Teresa McQuay
William and Jane Kanning
Charlotte Meatte
Anita and Andrew Higginbotham
Mary Ellen Christman Hyde Mooney
Molly and Rick Henry
Maxine and Henry Morose
Jill and Ben Turec
Nelson Morose
Jill and Ben Turec
Mike Mullen
Donna and James Block
Mick and Carol Markway
Tom Mulvihill
Spencer Chipley
Janey and Jim Menner
Austin Murphy
Vincent Vento
Tom Nilsen
Kathleen Freese
Alma Noah Parker
Shelly and Steve Huck
Tina Perniciaro
Paul Perniciaro
Elora Petrasek
Rosalynn Petrasek
Kaitlyn Phillips
Karen Phillips
Gwen Politte
Patrick and Rachel O’Neill
Josh Puszkar
Jill Yamauchi
Hannah Quirk
Scott and Mary Quirk
Hope Revelle
Niki Greenfield
Dave Ritchey
John and Julie Bantle
Kenn and Jane Ritchey
Madilyn “Mallie” Royer
Stacie McCormack
Lydia Ann Saenger
Bill and Erin Brasser
Dorothy Schinzinger
Sharyle Wilhelm
Jonathan Shelley
Rosalynn Petrasek
Jon Kirk Simpkins
John Gewin
Nicholas Sotiropoulos
Sarah Sotiropoulos
Griffin Thomas
Kathy Thomas
Wolf and Celia Turec
Ben and Jill Turec
Hudson Van Roekel
Marcus and Gina Rosenberg
Jamie Woodruff
June Middleton
Todd Zick
Kaye and Larry Anderson
Tom and Penny Hillemeyer
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIENDS OF KIDS WITH CANCER
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
SATURDAY,
SUNDAY, JUNE 28
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
MONDAY, MAY 18
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Participants & Race Shirts* Logo/Team on Banner**
Promotion on Friends social media
Reserved lawn space with custom team sign
Promotion on Friends website
Promotion in Friends newsletter
Vendor Booth in Vendor Village Mile Marker Sign at mile 1, 2, or 3 Logo on Back of Race Shirt** Logo on Front of Race Shirt**
*Additional team members can be added for a fee of $10/person.
**Sponsor and team logos must be submitted by March 6 to angela@friendsofkids.com.
***Patient Family Team sponsorships available to families who have experienced a pediatric cancer or blood-related disease only.
I Want to Be a Sponsor: Title Gold Silver Bronze Mile Marker Vendor Patient Family Team
First & Last Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Enclosed is my sponsorship of $
I am unable to attend. Please accept my donation of $ Cash Credit Card Check
Name on Card:
CC#:
Submit
26TH ANNUAL
16 Sunnen Drive, Suite 161
St. Louis, MO 63143
A fun Spring morning for the whole family with bounce houses, games, face painting, breakfast snacks, popcorn, snow cones, food trucks, & more.
This fundraiser is a day of fun to honor, remember, and support the strength, courage, love, and care of kids and families facing a cancer diagnosis.
1-MILE WALK
For this memorial & honor walk, bring signs and warm clothes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on this path.
Sponsor teams are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic supplies for their team section on the grassy lawn.
PACKET PICKUP
Pick up running bibs & race shirts prior to the event at the Friends office:
Thursday, April 9, 2025
7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friends of Kids with Cancer 16 Sunnen Drive, Suite 161, Maplewood, MO 63143
5K + 10K RACES
Enjoy the 5K or *all new* 10K run on the flat and fast lake path in chill April air.
NEW RENT A BOOTH FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Races are timed through Big River Running Company with prizes for winners in each category. New and experienced runners welcome.
Set up your booth to sell merchandise or promote a business. Rent a booth all day for We supply the tent and table.
REGISTRATION
PACKET PICKUP
Register by March 21 for a guaranteed event shirt in your size. 10K Run—$40 5K Run—$35 1mi Walk—$35
Pick up your team’s t-shirts & running bibs prior to the event.
Thursday, April 14 | 7 a.m.—7 p.m.
Friends of Kids with Cancer Office 16 Sunnen Drive, Suite 161 Maplewood, MO 63143
