Ep 27 - Leia’s Kids Brings Joy And Advocacy To Pediatric Cancer Kids

In this episode of Heart of the Hustle, I sit down with Leia, founder of Leia’s Kids, to share one of the most powerful stories we’ve featured yet.

Leia is a two-time childhood cancer survivor whose journey didn’t stop with her own fight—she turned her pain into purpose by creating a nationwide nonprofit that now walks alongside families facing pediatric cancer.

Through Leia’s Kids, families receive:
💛 Financial Grants – so parents don’t have to choose between work and staying at their child’s bedside
💛 Family Dream Parties – giving siblings and parents unforgettable moments together
💛 Mental Health Retreats – designed for teens and young adult survivors navigating life after treatment
💛 Advocacy – pushing for more funding, research, and pediatric-specific drug development at both the state and national level

Leia has even created Princess Marigold—the first childhood cancer princess—so kids can see themselves represented in a hopeful, magical way.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
-Leia’s personal story of survival and resilience
-How Leia’s Kids began and why it continues to grow nationwide
-The four pillars of support that make a life-changing difference for families
-The importance of advocacy and why pediatric cancer funding lags decades behind adult research
-How you can help support this mission during North Texas Giving Day

👉 Ways to Support Leia’s Kids:
Donate this North Texas Giving Day—your gift may be matched!
Visit leahskids.org
-for more information, their Amazon wishlist, and ways to get involved

Follow @leias_kids on social media to stay connected

🎧 Watch this full episode here on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, founder, or entrepreneur, I’d love to invite you into the studio for your own interview. When you’re a guest on Heart of the Hustle, you walk away with a month’s worth of done-for-you content—all from just one powerful conversation.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Leah's Kids
00:03 The Four Pillars of Support
02:20 Heart of the Hustle: Nonprofit Series
02:58 Leah's Personal Journey with Cancer
06:20 Founding Leah's Kids
10:33 Princess Marigold: A Symbol of Hope
12:00 How You Can Support Leah's Kids

🎯 Want to Walk Away With a Month of Content in Just One Hour?

✨ Be a guest at the Heart of the Hustle Studio and leave with more than a great interview. You’ll get:

-Short-form reels and audiograms
-Done-for-you captions and pull quotes
-A full SEO blog post
-Strategy-backed content that builds authority and connection

📩 Apply now at https://www.sherrysutton.com/heartofthehustlevodcastapplication and let us turn your story into your most powerful marketing asset.

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