Kyra’s Hope Foundation of MI brings people together at event

Published 6:15 pm Sunday, August 2, 2026

Mercer Islander Kyra Gupta loved outdoor walking and hiking, said her mother Alka Kumari after the Kyra’s Hope Foundation Walk For Hope commenced on the morning of Aug. 2 at 60 Acres Park South Field in Redmond.

Nearly 100 participants were on hand to support children facing cancer and their families as they walked the 3.1-mile route and enjoyed chalk art, crafts, games, snacks, fitness instructor-led activities, a photo spot, music and more during the three-hour event.

At the age of 12, Gupta passed away on Nov. 9, 2025, from a rare type of pediatric cancer called metastatic Ewing sarcoma.

“In spirit, I’m sure she would (join) this,” said Kumari, adding that the family-friendly event’s purpose is to build community connections and raise awareness about research to fight childhood cancer.

“The main reason for hosting this Walk for Hope was expanding our community beyond Mercer Island. This cancer journey is not just a Mercer Island problem, it’s a global problem and a community-wide problem, so we wanted everyone to join hands together, be aware of the cause and the journey the cancer community has to go through and participate and actively work towards the urgency we are in,” Kumari added.

Gupta’s dad, Gautam Kumar, addressed the crowd prior to kicking off the event and said that it meant a lot to have families and friends gathered on a nice Sunday morning. Two families who are affected by cancer were also present at the event.

Kumar told the Reporter that the community awareness of childhood cancer brings about collaboration and help to the families who are going through the disease.

“The research we showed behind (on a sign at the event), there’s only four percent of funding. When the community comes together, that’s when the needle will move faster,” he said.

Kyra’s Hope Foundation notes that the simple walk can turn into meaningful action and that together, people can walk with a purpose and for hope. Gupta’s courage fuels the foundation’s mission, reads its website.

The foundation’s lead volunteer Samriddhi Chaturvedi said she was overwhelmed with the turnout and is motivated and connected to the cause.

While discussing what made Gupta a special person, Shaivi Pandya said her upbeat friend always had a smile on her face and was excited to attend Destination Imagination team meetings.

Pandya touched upon the importance of the event and foundation: “I feel like others shouldn’t have to go through this. I feel like what Kyra went through, I feel like if we can do something to stop that, we should try and we should support those families.”

When Gupta and her family moved to the United States when she was 3 years old, Jessica Singh became one of the youngster’s friends. Singh used to pick Gupta up from school and spend the day together. The two became very close from that time forward.

“Even though she was way younger than me, she was one of the very few people who would always call me and ask me how I am doing,” Singh said of the then-10-year-old Gupta, who Singh added was caring, loving, kind hearted, brave and never gave up after she learned of her cancer diagnosis.

Islander Kate Hasz moved in next door to Gupta and her family in July of 2025 and noted that she attended the event because neighbors stand up for each other.

Hasz, whose granddaughter has been in remission for leukemia for 10 years, recalled one memorable interaction she had with Gupta.

“She was lovely and sweet and just precious and I just commented on how pretty her dress was,” Hasz said of the flowery and delicate attire.

With the event being held in their hometown, Redmond City Councilmembers Vanessa Kritzer and Menka Soni also attended the event and spoke about the vital foundation.

“I’m so inspired by the conversations I’ve had with many of you and I’m wishing everyone a very hopeful and powerful walk today as we come together in community,” Kritzer said.

Soni asked people to display their enthusiasm for participating in the walk by belting out a “good morning!” before she spoke.

“This foundation, this mission, this vision is really important. This research, this support. Mental support — which is really required for the families, for the siblings, those who are going through this situation — is a much needed resource,” Soni said. “This walk is for hope and we all are here to instill that hope.”

For more information, visit: https://www.kyrashope.org/