Our Founders

Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer was founded in 2001 by Sophie Staples and her Packer Collegiate classmates. Since then, what began as an 8th grade homeroom project has evolved into the premier pediatric cancer walk in New York City.

At the time, Sophie’s brother, Simon, was finishing treatment for stage IV neuroblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Inspired by his successful outcome, Sophie and her friends vowed to make a difference on behalf of other children with cancer. Together, they organized a walkathon that they called the Packer Walk for Pediatric Cancer. Exceeding all expectations, the students raised over $35,000 for MSK, and the idea of an annual kids walk was born!

The following year, Sophie and her friends expanded the event, added six other schools, and renamed the event “Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer.” In 2003, Kids Walk relocated from Brooklyn to Central Park, and the event has been held there ever since. Motivated by Sophie and Simon’s passion, others have followed in their footsteps: creating new school and family teams, as well as companion events.

Kids Walk continues to grow exponentially as it attracts students, families, and companies from across the country. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $3 million to help develop more effective and less toxic treatments for children with cancer—all the while proving that kids can make a difference!

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