Patient & Family Advocacy
When Colonel Kevin John McAleese was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2010, he faced the most aggressive form of brain cancer with unshakable courage, humor, and grace. Even while navigating treatments and hospital visits, Kevin continued to serve — as a father, husband, mentor, and leader.
His fight ended in 2013. But his legacy did not.
Founded in his honor, the Kevin John McAleese Foundation exists to meet a deeply human need: to stand with families in the moments when hope is hardest to hold.
Over the past 12 years, we've quietly and powerfully supported:
Children of glioblastoma patients, by fulfilling wish lists and covering practical needs during their parent’s treatment or loss
Women pursuing higher education, in honor of Kevin’s belief in access and empowerment
The Abramson Cancer Center’s Glioblastoma Center of Excellence, through one-time donations to support respite initiatives and research
And dozens of families facing financial overwhelm — offering discreet, heartfelt assistance for groceries, lodging near hospitals, childcare, and more
Because many of the families we serve are navigating grief or terminal illness, we don’t always share photos or testimonials. Their privacy is sacred. But behind every number, there's a name. A child. A caregiver. A future still being written.
Now, we’re expanding our focus.
We recognize the unmet needs of children left behind — young lives shaped by loss, yet filled with potential. Our next chapter is about lifting them, not only with support in the moment, but with long-term investment in their dreams.
Why Give?
Because grief doesn’t end with a funeral.
Because hope doesn’t fund itself.
Because every dollar you give becomes an act of legacy — one that lives on in classrooms, in career paths, and in childhoods preserved through compassion.
When you partner with the Kevin John McAleese Foundation, you help us gift hope where trauma has entered the room — and ensure that no family fights this alone.