In August 2014, at the age of 13, Kaitlyn Jankovsky was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Prior to that summer, she was an athletic teen who played competitive volleyball and ran track. Her 2+ year treatment regimen required that she endure daily chemotherapy, causing her to miss her entire 8th grade school year and sidelining her from the sports she loved.
From the start, Kaitlyn dove into her role as childhood cancer advocate. She hosted blood drives, supported her area’s local efforts with St. Baldrick’s and helped create a childhood cancer awareness license plate for the state of Texas. She has been recognized twice on the floor of the House and Senate in Texas for her efforts and in 2015 her congressman shared Kaitlyn’s story on the floor of the House in Washington, DC.
Her treatment finally ended in November 2016, but was immediately followed with surgery. The long-term steroid usage required to treat the cancer caused permanent damage to her hip. A full hip replacement has helped her resume life, but sadly limited her activities and she hasn’t been able to return to the volleyball court or track. Throughout treatment, Kaitlyn excelled in school and maintained her GPA. She is now a member of the National Honor Society.
Since 2014 Kaitlyn has inspired those around her to get involved and help fight for better, less toxic treatments. The Kaitlyn Conquerors Cancer Fund was created to further her mission to help fund research. Please join Kaitlyn and her family in the fight!
Donations given to Kaitlyn's Conquerors Fund go directly to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fund lifesaving childhood cancer research around the world. The 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 Kaitlyn's Conquerors 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.