The Foundation

About Us

The mission of The Ryan York Foundation is to provide financial assistance to children who areaffected by cancer. The foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2001. The foundation has a Board of Directors made up of educators, healthcare professionals, community business leaders and the York family. The foundation staff is made up of non-paid volunteers. Operating costs are covered primarily through corporate donations.

The first walk-a-thon was held in 1999 to assist Ryan York. Organized by Elizabeth Rathgeber, (Ryan’s teacher) and with the help and support from the Lake Zurich, IL community, a walk-a-thon was organized in a record 23 days and raised over $25,000.Since the first walk in 1999, the foundation has held annual walk-a-thons along with other community events and has raised over $200,000 and supported more than 10 families.

What We Do

Children and their families raise the majority of the foundations funds. The funds they raise go directly to children in need. Foundation operating costs are primarily supported by volunteer efforts and corporate donations.

The foundation learns of children in need from individuals, family, foundation supporters and community organizations. Once a child is identified a foundation member confidentially works with the family to understand and qualify their need.

The foundation board then evaluates need and determines the type and level of support the foundation can provide. We have assisted in the following areas:

• Medical Bills
• Temporary living expenses
• Child care
• Travel expense for hospital care