Climbing mountains. Changing lives.
Helping families keep climbing through childhood cancer.
Keep Climbing Foundation provides direct financial relief to families facing childhood cancer and uses annual mountain challenges to rally more people around the mission.
OUR MISSION
Their family is facing the hardest climb. We help carry part of the weight.
Keep Climbing Foundation helps by paying approved medical and treatment-related expenses directly to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and providers.
A childhood cancer diagnosis can bring medical bills, lost income, travel, and overwhelming uncertainty.
Every approved gift is designed to reduce one real bill, one real burden, for one real family.
Our annual climbs create the attention and momentum that make this support possible.
$550K+
Raised for children and families
Hundreds
Families supported
1,000+
Donors and business supporters
How Your Gift Helps
Your gift helps pay approved medical and treatment-related expenses directly to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and providers. Sponsor support helps cover climb costs so campaign dollars can stay focused on family assistance.
Hospital or clinic bills
Treatment-related pharmacy costs
Other approved provider expenses
One boy inspired the first climb. His courage still leads every step.
Ryan Kelley met Alec while volunteering at a children's hospital. Alec's fight changed Ryan's life and inspired a promise to do something difficult enough to get people's attention.
The first climb up Mount Rainier became the beginning of a movement that has now raised more than $550,000 for children and families.
“Over 18,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer next year. We believe that one is too many, and that is why we climb for the kids.”
Ryan Kelley
President & Founder
See the mission in motion.
Every climb becomes a story people can witness, share, and support.
10 Years and Still Climbing
A look at the latest annual climb and the deeper reason the team keeps returning to the mountains.
Watch the Film
2021 CFTK, More Than A Crown
A documentary anchored in Elizabeth Weidner’s story and the team’s Alaska climb for childhood cancer support.
Watch the Film
2019 CFTK, Switching the Summit
A film about pediatric cancer research and the 2019 climb in Ecuador on Cotopaxi Volcano.
Watch the Film
Keep Climbing - The Film
An outdoor story with First Descents alumni centered on resilience, teamwork, and summiting together.
Watch the Film
Choose how to help families keep climbing.
Give, apply, sponsor, or turn your own challenge into support.
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Sponsor
Help underwrite the climb and keep more campaign dollars focused on families.
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Become a Champion
Turn your own challenge into a fundraiser for families facing childhood cancer.
Organizations and hospitals we have supported
The climb exists to move money and attention toward organizations that care for children and families in moments of medical crisis.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Leading the way in pediatric cancer treatment and research, with survival rates transformed over decades of work.
Team Alec Forever
Financially supports childhood cancer families in the St. Louis area, especially in moments of profound need.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Helps families stay together and close to the care their children need during a medical crisis.
Friends of Kids with Cancer
Enriches the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases.
Dell Children's Hospital
Provides specialized pediatric cancer care and family support across Central Texas as a leading children's medical center.
Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Delivers advanced pediatric care and support for children and families facing cancer and serious illness in the St. Louis region.
Stay with the mission.
Get climb updates, family-impact stories, new films, and ways to help.
A few meaningful updates each month.