About IKCA

Our Purpose

Children, youth and families affected by the lifechanging diagnosis of childhood cancer need support through all stages of their cancer journey. The Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA) was formed in 2017, filling a huge gap in services on Vancouver Island. IKCA provides year-round practical and local support specifically for children and youth with cancer and their families on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Boy with glasses, smiling
Girls on a rock
Mother and 2 boys

Our Story

IKCA is proud to have supported hundreds of kids and families. Beyond medical expertise and experience, families need to live and navigate their experiences, connect with one another, and receive access to supportive resources such as financial assistance and mental health and wellness opportunities. We understand that a childhood cancer diagnosis is often a lonely and frightening experience that impacts everyone — including siblings and extended family members, and so we filled the gap.

All board members and staff have a distinct understanding of the childhood cancer journey and many have supported their own children through a childhood cancer diagnosis. Each person combines their professional attributes and drive, with their own unique and valuable personal experiences, which in combination, brings extremely impactful and critical childhood cancer family support that Vancouver Island families need and deserve.

“Our family is so grateful to have Island Kids Cancer Association in our lives. Knowing that there are people who truly care and that have put in such great and amazing efforts to ensure we have resources that are deeply needed has brought so much comfort to our family.”

We believe no family should face childhood cancer alone. We’re here to help.

Learn more about our programs

Our Partners

Without the amazing generosity of our partners, we couldn’t give kids and their families opportunities to walk with IKCA and receive valuable outreach and resources year-round. Thank you to all organizations and individuals who make IKCA a reality and without whom we wouldn’t be here to support others.