Lanterns of Hope Impact

Ease the burden. Empower the fight.

To date, we have provided over $1,600,000 in direct support to families fighting childhood cancer!

Our reach expands beyond Nebraska

While most families we serve come from Nebraska or Western Iowa, we’ve supported families receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital Omaha and Nebraska Medicine no matter where they come from.

From the Families:

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for your much-needed gift of financial assistance. The financial assistance helped our family pay for our mortgages while our precious 2 year old daughter Lia is in treatment for high risk Leukemia here in Omaha. There are no words to express the deep gratitude. Finances have been tight as we went from a 2 income household to a 1 income house, along with medical bills. We are SO very thankful and helps us feel not alone in this fight. Thank you for all you do, you are TRULY making a difference and we are so forever thankful. We will pay your kindness forward."

The Olson Family: Andrew, Carrie, & Lia
"Our daughter was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Our whole world fell apart in the seconds we were told her diagnosis. We are so thankful for the help Metro Area Youth Foundation (now Lanterns of Hope) gave us to keep our home life afloat by helping us pay our bills. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Anonymous Family
"There was still so much financial unknown, bills came so late it was impossible to plan. Max out of pocket healthcare expenses were definitely going to be met. Right now we are consumers of generosity. [..] Consumers of organizations that provide financial aid. Consumers of the generosity of donors to Metro Area Youth Foundation. We have used this aid to help with our mortgage and monthly electric, gas and water bills. This aid relieves financial pressure, allowing us to funnel our own income toward the healthcare expenses and household items needed to make Alex’s isolation more comfortable and tolerable. We can not thank you enough for this assistance."

Amanda K., mother

Meet our Ambassadors

Each year Lanterns of Hope selects an individual (or several) who embodies the spirit of hope and optimism in their fight against childhood cancer. We have helped ease the burden of everyday bills on their family during treatment and our Ambassadors help light the way for others to access similar support.

Click on their name or photo below to read more about their stories.