Join us for the 2026 Trek for a Dream, to support childhood cancer research!

Why are we supporting childhood cancer research?

Childhood cancer is NOT rare - every day in the U.S., 47 children (0-19 years old) are diagnosed with cancer, with 1 out of every 285 children being diagnosed by age 20 in the U.S. Less than 4% of federal cancer research funding goes towards childhood cancer research (National Cancer Institute, 2021), yet these children are the ones who have their entire lives ahead of them in comparison to adults..

The journey of childhood cancer is one that no family should endure. To say it is difficult does not do justice to what these children and their families experience. If anyone has ever spent time on the 7th floor at Children's Hospital Colorado at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, no further explanation is needed. To get off that elevator and to see so many children receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments is beyond heartbreaking. Every family on the 7th floor deserves to hear: "Your child will be cured because we have treatments that work." Unfortunately, not all parents hear these words. And even worse, some families hear that there are no treatment options for survival.

All funds raised through Trek for a Dream will support childhood cancer research at Children's Hospital Colorado. Physician-scientists are actively researching new therapies to increase child survival rates and to develop therapies that are less harmful, both short- and long-term.

The goal of Trek for a Dream is to bring awareness to the lack of funding for childhood cancer research. 4% of federal cancer research funding is NOT enough for these children and their families. The goal is for individuals or teams to trek (walk/hike) any distance to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer, and to create their own personal pages to share and spread the word with friends, family and on social media

Amara's story

 On February 20th, 2020, Amara (12) and her mom flew flight-for-life in the middle of the night to Children's Hospital Colorado from Durango to Denver after her mom received a phone call earlier that evening that no parent ever wants to hear: "We think your daughter has leukemia. You have 5 minutes to pack your bags; a Flight-for-Life helicopter is waiting for you." Our lives changed that day forever when it was confirmed that Amara had B-cell ALL leukemia and would be in treatment for 2½ years. Amara completed treatment on July 1st, 2022.

Today, Amara is healthy, active, and thriving. Amara is a college freshman at the University of Utah and loves to ski, travel, work out at the gym, hike, camp, cook healthy food, and spend time with her family, friends, and rescue dog, Juna. Amara qualified in March 2025 at the U.S. Junior Mogul Championship, earning 3rd place, and also qualified for the U.S. National Mogul Freestyle National Championship, placing 14th overall.

Amara is thriving today because of childhood cancer research. All children with a cancer diagnosis deserve to live long, healthy lives and fulfill all of their dreams.

Dream big and choose your trail

The purpose of Trek for a Dream is to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to fund childhood cancer research. Find a trail near you, plan your trek (walk/hike) of any distance, create your own personal page, and share with friends, family and on social media.

Please create your own personal page here. Thank you for helping support children fighting cancer!