Recently, The Villages came together in a heartfelt show of support for children battling cancer, marking the inaugural fundraiser of the Kids Beating Cancer (KBC) chapter in the community. The sold-out cruise-themed luncheon, fashion show and live auction at The Savannah Center—‘Get on Board with Kids beating Cancer—raised crucial funds to further the organization’s mission, uniting over 430 attendees with hope, purpose, inspiration and a shared dedication to transforming the lives of young cancer patients.

Founded in 1992 by Margaret Guedes after the heartbreaking loss of her 9-year-old son, John, KBC was born from a mother’s fierce determination to spare other families the pain of being separated from their loved ones while seeking life-saving treatments. While John’s battle took Margaret to Seattle for months at a time, she vowed to bring that level of medical care closer to home for children in Central Florida.

“I wanted to ensure that no family would ever have to endure what we did,” Margaret reflects. “It was so important to me to change that and bring the same level of care to our local community.”

For more than three decades, KBC has been a source of hope, serving over 12,000 children through various programs, raising more than $32 million for pediatric cancer research, and supporting 246 transplants. Margaret’s dedication has expanded into the Kids Beating Cancer Pediatric Transplant Center and Cellular Therapy Lab, which now provides cutting-edge treatments locally, allowing children to remain close to their families during their care.

Beyond medical care, KBC enhances the lives of children undergoing treatment, offering care packages with their beloved teddy bear “Bunky,” themed hospital room decorations and outings for immune-compromised children and their families.

“My son inspired me to do something that I never thought I could do: To step out of my safety zone,” Margaret says. “It keeps my son alive in my heart because even though he lost his battle, I know this is what he would have wanted—for me to keep fighting so other children can win theirs.”

The Villages Chapter: Launching a Legacy

The Villages chapter of KBC, chaired by Leslie Skillman, has quickly become a driving force in the region. After Leslie’s move from Central Florida, where she served on the board of the original chapter, she was inspired to launch this new chapter to bring the KBC community closer to home for Villages residents.

“I want to make sure that we connect with the children in our community and take care of them,” Leslie says, expressing her heartfelt commitment to supporting local families impacted by childhood cancer.

The first fundraising event exceeded all expectations, raising vital funds and drawing the community together. The November 19 fashion show, showcasing local clothing vendors and models from The Silver Rockets—The Villages’ celebrated dance team—was a highlight, as was the exciting live auction.

“This started with a small idea to connect passionate women in The Villages and it’s become so much more,” said Sam Azar, COO of KBC’s original chapter. “We’re here to save lives and give kids a chance to change the world.”

Margaret also addressed the crowd, expressing her gratitude for their support. “There is nothing in this world we won’t do for the love of our children,” she said, speaking to the collective power of the audience to make a difference.

“I can look among you and know from all your faces, the power that we hold as parents and as grandparents,” she added.

A Mission That Transforms Lives

One of the most touching moments during the fundraiser came when Scarlett, a mother whose young son, Cyrus, was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, shared her family’s story. She recalled how KBC helped them.

“When Cyrus was diagnosed at age three, we felt isolated and scared. Margaret and her team became our lifeline. They made us feel like part of a community, and they celebrated with us when Cyrus rang the bell this July to mark the end of his treatment,” Scarlett said, surprising the crowd by bringing Cyrus on stage with his “Bunky” bear.

Looking to the future, Kids Beating Cancer remains dedicated to expanding access to innovative treatments and clinical trials, ensuring that more families don’t have to leave home for the care their children need. With the support of passionate volunteers, donors and the broader community, KBC is changing lives, one child at a time.

“It was the little things that volunteer organizations did for my family that made a huge impact on me,” Margaret shares. “They also brought a smile to my son’s face on those darkest of days and that’s what we want to do for as many children as we can.”

For more information or to donate, visit kidsbeatingcancer.com.

Photos by Nicole Hamel