In a heartfelt meeting between two dynamic advocates, Megan Webber, co-founder of KnowTheGlow (KTG), and Leia Hunt, founder of Leia’s Kids, came together to share their stories, passions, and commitment to helping families affected by childhood cancer. Both women, shaped by personal experiences with retinoblastoma (RB), have dedicated their lives to raising awareness and supporting those in need, making their collaboration a powerful force for change. Megan and Leia’s conversation was filled with mutual admiration and excitement as they learned more about each other’s organizations. Both KTG and Leia’s Kids were born from deeply personal experiences, and their shared vision of advocacy and support laid the foundation for the organizations they founded.
Leia T. Hunt is a survivor—a two-time Unilateral Retinoblastoma survivor. Throughout her courageous battle with cancer, Leia underwent 26 surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, and multiple rounds of radiation. As a result of her treatment, Leia lost complete vision in her left eye, but her resilience and strength have fueled her passion to help others facing similar challenges.
Leia Hunt’s story is one of resilience, hope, and an unwavering determination to bring joy and support to children and families fighting the same battle she once faced herself. As the founder of Leia’s Kids. Leia transformed her personal experience with retinoblastoma (RB) into a mission to uplift and provide hope and love to families affected by childhood cancer.
Leia was just 2 ½ years old when her mother noticed something unusual in photos—what appeared to be a “lazy eye.” Doctors initially believed it was a mild condition, prescribing an eye patch, but when her vision continued to deteriorate, further testing revealed a much more devastating reality: a massive tumor in her eye.
Her journey began immediately. Leia’s family rushed to Wills Eye Hospital, where she started chemotherapy the very next day with Dr. Carol Shields. Despite undergoing multiple treatments—including radiation and a radioactive plaque—Leia’s vision in her left eye gradually faded. Yet, unlike many RB patients, she did not lose her eye. Her parents fought to save it, and while she can no longer see from that eye, she still retains her physical eye. Many years have passed but she is still checked by Dr. Shields at Wills Eye annually, keeping a close watch for any signs of cancer regrowth.
While Leia’s battle against retinoblastoma was physically challenging, the emotional and psychological journey that followed was perhaps even more daunting. She speaks openly about the “two battles” that childhood cancer survivors face: the fight during treatment and the fight after when you have to learn to live with the lasting impact.
School, for example, was a constant challenge. Leia often felt isolated, being the only child in her small town with RB. She struggled with migraines, memory issues, and the social stigma of having limited vision. Even her beloved basketball games came with the nickname “the blind girl,” a reminder of the way others saw her. Yet, she persevered.
With the unwavering support of her mother, who advocated for her every step of the way, Leia finished high school and attended college. But it was during her senior year of high school that her life took an extraordinary turn. At just 18 years old, Leia launched Leia’s Kids, a nonprofit foundation that began with a simple mission: to provide financial help to families facing the overwhelming costs of childhood cancer treatment. Her first recipient, Ian—a child with autism and a brain tumor—received a $1,000 donation from Leia after she drove to his hometown fundraiser. That small act of kindness was just the beginning.
Leia’s passion and empathy for children fighting cancer grew, and so did her nonprofit. What started with financial support quickly expanded to something far greater. Leia’s Kids now offers “parties in a box” for children, full-blown parties, mental health retreats for adolescents and young adults (AYA), and so much more. Leia realized that cancer affects the entire family, and her goal became to create moments of joy and relief amid their struggles. Her foundation now hosts 2-3 in-person parties a month, and she has a waiting list of over 300 families—proof of the profound impact she’s having. Additionally, Leia hosts 2-3 retreat weekends a year.
Leia doesn’t stop at providing financial and emotional support. She actively advocates for children with retinoblastoma, ensuring they are seen and heard. As a child, she was often the only one with RB, but now she’s making sure no one fights alone. She’s involved in panels like the upcoming RB1 Conference in Hawaii, where she will sit on a survivorship panel, sharing her experience to inspire others. Her nonprofit’s reach continues to grow, as Leia works alongside organizations like WeCHope, The BrainStorm Summit, and CureFest, connecting with other advocates and bringing families together. Leia advocates at a state and federal level for pediatric cancer awareness and funding. She also works with the White House on the Moonshot Initiative to help increase funding and help establish better access to clinical trials to children. Leia recently published a children’s book, “Princess Marygold and the Royal Tea Party” and “What is Cancer?” for children and educators to read. Her retreats, donations, and events have created a safe and supportive environment for cancer fighters at every stage of their journey.
Leia Hunt’s story is more than just one of survival—it’s one of transformation. She took the hardest moments of her life and turned them into a source of light and joy for others. Today, she is a dream granter, giving children and their families not just financial support, but a chance to celebrate, to heal, and to know they are not alone. Leia’s journey continues, and with each party, retreat, and event, she brings her message of hope to more families. She’s not just helping them survive cancer—she’s helping them live more fully because of it. As Leia herself says, “Why wait a whole year to come together?” Thanks to her, families battling childhood cancer don’t have to wait at all to know they are loved and supported.
Leia T. Hunt goes above and beyond for families facing the unimaginable challenge of childhood cancer. From the moment a child is diagnosed, Leia walks alongside these families, providing unwavering support throughout their entire treatment journey. She shines a beacon of hope, using her platform on social media, in support groups, and at events to offer guidance and encouragement. Leia is known for answering the tough questions that children have, always sharing her personal story to inspire and uplift the world’s mightiest warriors.
Beyond her direct support for families, Leia is a passionate advocate on both the state and federal levels. She has worked closely with the White House and Congressman Keith Self of Texas to secure proclamations in cities across Texas, raising awareness for pediatric cancer. As the leader of the Texas Advocacy Group, comprised of children fighting pediatric cancer, Leia spearheads efforts to amplify their voices. She proudly represents Texas in Washington, D.C., lobbying for critical changes in pediatric cancer policy.
Leia has played an instrumental role in helping to pass multiple bills in Congress, including:
- The Race for Children’s Act
- The STAR Act (Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research)
- The Reauthorization of the Creating Hope Act
- The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0
- H. Res. 114 (Moonshot4Kids)
Through her tireless advocacy and dedication, Leia has become a voice for children battling cancer, pushing for life-saving research and policies that make a tangible difference in the lives of these families. Her commitment to ensuring that pediatric cancer is a national priority is evident in every step of her journey.
