Courage for Kids: One Teen’s Mission to Support Kids Battling Cancer

Jacob Rogers, high schooler and CEO of Courage for Kids, speaks on his experience as a leader in the community.

By: Ledger Wham, Contributing Writer

ledgerwham@gmail.com

Since the establishment of Courage for Kids in 2025, Jacob Rogers has been balancing school while founding and running his own non-profit. Courage for Kids is a student-led nonprofit organization focused on supporting children with pediatric cancer in South Carolina.

Rogers, the now 11th-grade student at Dorman High School, started developing Courage for Kids in 8th grade when he learned how underfunded pediatric cancer research is. His passion to become a pediatric oncologist has inspired Rogers to make a change in his community.

The goal of Courage for Kids is to address the challenges of childhood cancer and develop ways to better support kids and their families. Rogers is helping the community directly and stated, “Our mission is to provide hope, encouragement, and meaningful support while raising awareness for childhood cancer through community initiatives, fundraising, and partnerships.”

One of the biggest ways Courage for Kids honors its mission is through Courage Boxes. Courage Boxes are care packages to provide resources to children battling cancer. The boxes include a variety of “comfort items, activities, blankets, toys, snacks, and other essentials designed to bring encouragement and remind children and their families that they have an entire community standing behind them.”

Courage for Kids is also preparing for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September by expanding their impact through community involvement and new initiatives. There are many ways to support Courage for Kids as they grow and expand their mission.

Any local businesses, organizations, or community partners interested in working or partnering with Courage for Kids can contact Jacob Rogers at courageforkids.org@gmail.com to do so. Individuals and organizations can help their mission by donating, sponsoring an initiative, or helping to spread awareness about childhood cancer. Donation pages can be found on their Instagram @teamcourageforkids and their website at courage-for-kids.onepage.me.

Rogers spoke of an experience that motivates him to this day, stating, “Last Christmas… We had the privilege of supporting a young boy named Brayden, who was battling cancer. Through the generosity of our community, we were able to provide him with more than 15 Christmas gifts to help brighten his holiday season. Although Brayden has since passed away, his courage and strength continue to inspire everything we do and remind us why every act of kindness matters.”

Every donation, partnership, and act of support for Courage for Kids goes to children like Brayden and shows families that they are not alone. Community support is essential for children battling cancer and their families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Courage for Kids is a nonprofit organization run by a group of passionate teenagers driven by their community. Rogers stated, “I hope our organization not only provides support for children battling pediatric cancer but also inspires other young people to realize that they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to create meaningful change.” The emotional, physical, and financial strain on children battling cancer is challenging, but Courage for Kids is working hard to combat these stressors and inspire others to do the same.