For the past fifteen years, Shelby Russell has been a driving force behind the growth and impact of Kids Cancer Alliance. From volunteer to Executive Director, her journey with the organization reflects a deep commitment to supporting children with cancer and their families. In this interview, she shares personal reflections, proud milestones, and her hopes for the future of KCA.

Q: How did you first get involved with Kids Cancer Alliance?
A: 20 years ago, I met Jennifer Mynear who was the mother of Jarrett Mynear. Jarrett passed away at thirteen years old, after bravely battling childhood cancer. Jennifer shared that Kids Cancer Alliance’s summer camp, Camp KCA, was Jarrett’s favorite week of the year and encouraged me to sign up to volunteer as a counselor. I did just that and it was the most life changing experience. I met the most amazing, resilient children who changed my perspective on life. While they were battling for their lives, their entire focus was on having fun and being a kid.
Through volunteering at Camp KCA, I found my purpose of helping children with cancer and their families. I continued as a Camp KCA volunteer for five years until Kids Cancer Alliance hired me as their first full time Executive Director in 2010.

Q: In the beginning of your career with KCA did you ever expect to hit a 15 year milestone?
A: When I was hired as Executive Director, I was in my mid-twenties so I wasn’t necessarily thinking that far into the future, but since I was a volunteer for the organization prior to being hired, I was already dedicated to the mission and hoped to always be involved in some capacity.

Q: In the past fifteen years how has Kids Cancer Alliance grown and changed?
A: In the past fifteen years, Kids Cancer Alliance has expanded programs from offering one weeklong summer camp to children with cancer, to over 120 touch points throughout the year- all serving not only children with cancer but their parents and siblings too. We now offer multiple weeks of summer camp, three weekend retreats, recreational family events, treatment center outreach programs, and financial assistance programs including: Bereavement Assistance, Scholarships, and basic needs/emergency assistance for families facing childhood cancer.
Thanks to our generous supporters, we have expanded our programs and services by increasing donations 1,040% and spreading awareness of the mission; and have built a dedicated, compassionate team of volunteers, Board Members, and staff. Kids Cancer Alliance, in the last fifteen years, went from a small, grassroots summer camp run by incredible volunteers on a shoestring budget to a thriving non-profit organization with year around programs, but we continue to pride ourselves on keeping the focus on the purpose and the children and families we serve.

Q: Looking back, what would you say is your proudest accomplishment?
A: I’m most proud of getting Kids Cancer Alliance’s financial assistance programs operational. Working with families whose children are diagnosed with cancer, I witnessed them face not only the emotional strain of treatment, but the majority are devastated financially by the disease and had nowhere to turn for help. Our financial assistance programs aim to ease the financial burden of childhood cancer so parents are able to focus on the wellbeing of their child, and it’s an honor to be a resource.

Q: Where do you see Kids Cancer Alliance in the future?
A: We at Kids Cancer Alliance have embarked on a strategic plan to build our capacity to continue to grow our programs and services to better serve the childhood cancer community in our state. My hope is to grow awareness of our resources throughout the state, so that we can achieve our vision of every child and family impacted by childhood cancer is empowered, supported and hopeful.

Q: What is it that makes you stay at Kids Cancer Alliance?
A: The people. Kids Cancer Alliance truly embodies an ‘alliance’- from the children and families we serve, to our volunteers and supporters, and our Board and staff, everyone is invested and committed to the mission of enhancing the quality of life for children with cancer and their families. It’s a special organization because of the people who continue to make our work possible. Kids Cancer Alliance is an incredibly supportive organization both for our clients, volunteers, and staff.

Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned over the years that you wish you had known when you started?
I wish I had known from the beginning to trust myself and my intuition. When I was hired, I was fairly young for an Executive Director and I struggled with Imposter Syndrome, not always feeling as if I was qualified for the role. But looking back, I was hired and chosen for my experience and background, work ethic, and dedication to the cause.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that my work has a purpose bigger than myself, and is making lives better. Leading a non-profit organization is equally challenging and rewarding, which I appreciate.