McKenna (Macky), a vivacious, seemingly healthy, 7-year-old from Huntington Beach, California was suddenly diagnosed with a rare, inoperable brain stem tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). DIPG tumors, like many pediatric brain tumors, have very low survival rates. In July 2011, McKenna Claire lost her battle with cancer just six months after diagnosis.

The impact that McKenna had on the world was evident from the outpouring of support her family received from so many during her illness. Her family’s desire to honor McKenna’s legacy and to perpetuate the sense of community that lifted them during their darkest time moved them to action. With the help of talented and gracious friends, the McKenna Claire Foundation was born.

During McKenna’s illness, her parents, Dave and Kristine Wetzel, interacted with doctors and researchers who were committed to the fight against pediatric cancer and its challenges. When McKenna died, the Wetzels arranged for her brain tumor tissue (along with her brain and spinal cord) to be donated to researchers at Stanford University who are on the cutting edge of pediatric brain cancer and DIPG research. It is their hope that their donation along with the McKenna Claire Foundation’s efforts will help to enable advances in the treatment of pediatric brain cancer and ultimately discover a cure.

Less than four percent of all cancer research funding is allocated for children's cancers.  In three years, the McKenna Claire Foundation has raised $1.5 million dollars and funded critically important and groundbreaking research all over the world.  We are shining a light on pediatric cancer, and welcome your support.