Kai was a little boy with dark eyes, a stink face that would easily turn into a smile that would light up the room, and boundless energy.
He was a miracle to his parents and in his brief 2 ½ years shared his warmth, energy, goofy sense of humor, and caring heart with all those he met.
Kai was diagnosed at 2 ½ with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare and very aggressive form of brain cancer. In March 2014, within two weeks of discovering the tumors, Kai passed away - 3 months shy of his third birthday. When Kai took his last breath, the sky that had been filled with clouds all day opened up with a bright ray of sun that came through the windows of his hospital room – the darkness of the disease was replaced with the light of his new life and the peace of no more suffering. Whenever the sun is out, we think of our Kai and know his story and legacy are still shining on.
To honor Kai, we hope to raise awareness, celebrate life, bring together community, and raise resources to help fund research. Donations given to Kai’s Hero fund will go towards the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers. Kai’s fund has a special focus on brain tumor research, specifically research into treatments that could minimize the harsh long and short term side effects of brain tumor treatment.
Kai loved trains, and when Kai became sick Kai’s Choo Choo Crew was quickly formed and has continued to support cancer research efforts in Kai’s memory. Kai’s Choo Choo Crew has hosted free train rides for the community on his favorite train in Austin, TX. We used this celebration to raise awareness about childhood cancer and collect donations for cancer research. We hope to develop more events and opportunities to bring community together and raise additional funds.
While there are never enough words to fully describe the life and spirit of a person, we hope that after learning a little about our Kai and seeing his radiant spirit through pictures, perhaps when you see the sun come out and feel the warmth on your face you’ll be reminded of Kai and feel hope and be inspired to celebrate and live life fully!
Sun's Out, Kai's Out!
Donations given to the Kai Slockers Pediatric Cancer Research Fund have funded a St. Baldrick's Scholar Grant for Ming-Ru Wu, M.D., Ph.D. and a St. Baldrick's International Scholar Grant for Anirban Das D.M., M.D.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.
These people make us smile - they’re the doers and money-raisers on behalf of the Kai Slockers Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. They’re shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.
Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to raise money on behalf of our Hero Fund! You’ll be paired with a staff member who will walk you through every step of the process, and you’ll have fun knowing you’re doing a great thing for kids with cancer.
Register to shave your head and raise money for our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event happening around the world! Not finding an event near you? Register as a virtual shavee and shave your head anytime, anywhere.
Head-shaving not your thing? You can start a fundraiser to raise money for our Hero Fund with St. Baldrick’s in a way that interests you! Like biking? Bike a marathon. Like baking? Start a cookie baking fundraiser… You get the picture.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
1333 South Mayflower Avenue, Suite 400
Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
(888) 899‑2253 · sbinfo@stbaldricks.org
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization, IRS identification number 20-1173824.
Donations made to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation are tax deductible in the U.S. · Privacy Policy
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