Meet the Student Helping Lead 40,000+ Volunteers Help Kids With Cancer

At seven years old, Lexie Scibilia put together her first care package for a friend who had been diagnosed with cancer. It was simple: snacks, coloring books, and a few toys she’d pick out for herself. She wasn’t sure if it would make a difference—until her friend’s mom told her the gift had made her daughter smile for the first time in weeks.

That moment stuck with Lexie. Years later, she discovered Cancer Kids First—a youth-led nonprofit founded by Olivia Zhang that brings care, joy, and a sense of normalcy to pediatric cancer patients—and everything clicked.

Now a rising junior at Villanova University, Lexie serves as Chapter Director of Cancer Kids First, supporting 120+ chapters and over 40,000 volunteers across 80 countries. She’s helping lead a full systems overhaul of the organization, building the infrastructure that allows young people around the world to create joy in some of the most difficult moments of childhood.

We sat down with Lexie to hear more about her story.

#1: What does Cancer Kids First do? Tell us about your impact.

Lexie: Cancer Kids First is the world’s largest youth-led pediatric cancer nonprofit. Our mission is to support children with cancer through personalized care packages, hand-made cards, virtual events, advocacy, and youth-run hospital programs around the world.

Our belief is simple but powerful: youth can and should lead the change they want to see.

#2: Why pediatric cancer patients?

Lexie: Because we’re youth-led, it feels especially meaningful to empower young people to support kids around their own age. We’ve even had volunteers as young as five or six join our virtual events to talk to pediatric patients on Zoom.

Pediatric cancer often receives less attention than adult forms of cancer simply because it affects fewer people. But for those who are affected, it’s life-changing.

#3: What do you do as Chapter Director?

Lexie: I oversee our global chapter network. That includes reviewing applications, running interviews, onboarding new chapter leads, managing leadership trainings, and supporting more than 120 active chapters worldwide.

Right now, I’m also co-leading a full systems overhaul of CKF. We’re building clearer communication systems, structured newsletters, accountability frameworks, and better support materials.

#4: What’s the biggest difference in your own growth coming from leading a chapter, to overseeing ALL of CKF’s chapters?

Lexie: When I was a chapter leader, I was really new to leadership. I didn’t have any experience talking to hospitals, businesses, or parents of patients.

Now that I’m Chapter Director, I really understand how to motivate and organize teams. So that’s also why a big thing I’m focusing on is giving our current chapter leads more tips & structures so they feel supported every step of the way.

#5: How has CKF grown?

Lexie: When I joined, the organization was still really small. I was interviewed directly by Olivia, our founder.

My chapter started that way, too, before expanding into fundraising and care packages.

Since then, we’ve grown a lot. Last year, we focused on global expansion. This year, we’re focusing on quality—making sure every chapter is supported, every leader is trained, and every effort is impactful.

Now we have formal systems for chapter applications, orientations, monthly trainings, and teams for everything from hospital outreach to fundraising.

It’s been incredible being a part of that growth.

#6: What has been the most memorable interaction you’ve had?

Lexie: A few years ago, my chapter sent a care package to a young girl who had just returned to the hospital. She loved dinosaurs, so we themed the package around that—complete with custom cards and cozy items.

A few days later, her mom emailed us to say it was the first time her daughter had smiled all week.

To be the reason they smile, even for a moment, is everything.

That switched something in me. That made me go,

“Oh - this is real. We’re really helping people.”

#7: If I want to get involved with Cancer Kids First - what do I do?

Lexie: It’s really easy. Anyone can apply to be a volunteer—we give service hours, and you can do as little as one card a week. Every little bit helps. If you want to go bigger, you can even apply to start your own chapter. We’ll support you every step of the way.

If you care about pediatric cancer and want to make a difference, we want you on the team!

Stay Connected

Get involved with Cancer Kids First: https://www.cancerkidsfirst.org/get-involved