Support Cancer Kids First
Cancer Kids First is the world's largest youth-led nonprofit normalizing the hospital environment and providing a loving community for kids with cancer. Through three unique service programs—Arts, Patient Interaction, and Treatment Services—CKF channels the unique power of young people to support young patients and their families.
Whether volunteering, starting a chapter, or donating, your support will change the lives of kids with cancer worldwide.
Young people are stepping up to change the world—but passion alone isn’t enough to build a lasting movement. YOUth: The Young Person’s Guide to Starting a Nonprofit is the essential playbook for turning vision into action, written by someone who’s done it herself.
From creating a mission to fundraising, building teams to balancing school, Zhang delivers the proven tools—and candid lessons—young founders need to thrive. YOUth is both guide and pep talk for anyone who believes they can—and should—make a difference.
Read YOUth
Follow her work
Olivia Zhang is a global health change-maker, social media influencer, and Founder and CEO of Cancer Kids First (CKF).
Launched when she was just 14, CKF empowers young people to support pediatric cancer patients by normalizing the hospital environment and providing a loving community. Sparked by the loss of her grandfather and elementary school teacher to cancer, Olivia channeled her grief into action—building what is now the largest youth-led force in pediatric cancer support, with over 40,500 volunteers across 80 countries. Olivia leads all aspects of the organization—from strategy and partnerships to impact tracking to support 10,000 patients in 22 countries.
Beyond CKF, Olivia is the author of the upcoming book YOUth: The Young Person’s Guide to Starting a Nonprofit to help young changemakers launch impact-driven organizations. She also consults for global health and social impact nonprofits, helping organizations expand impact to aid 15,000 diverse individuals. Through her social media platforms, Olivia shares her journey in nonprofit leadership and health equity advocacy, garnering over 35 million views and building a community of 170,000+ followers.
Olivia is continuing to redefine what’s possible when young people lead. She is a recipient of the Diana Legacy Award, L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth, has been featured in People, Business Insider, and CBS News, and is currently an undergraduate at Harvard University.
About Olivia
Advisory Board and Youth Activism
Olivia believes in the power of young people.
On her social media channels with over 160,000+ followers, Olivia shares advice, resources, and her journey to other aspiring young change makers. Olivia also began a nonprofit mentorship network in 2020 and to date, has advised ~100 early-stage and youth-led nonprofits seeking expertise in scaling operations, building partnerships, and growing revenue, helping clients raise $300K in new funding and secure 45+ strategic partnerships. This has led to an impact of 15,000+ individuals in communities like the neurodivergent community and BIPOC.
Olivia serves as the only young person on health company boards like World Child Cancer USA, where she brings a fresh perspective to advise global strategy to expand childhood cancer care in low-income countries
Notable Awards
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1. 2023 Diana Legacy Award with recognition from Prince William and Prince Harry
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2. 2025 Youngest L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth
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3. WEGO Health youngest top patient leader and
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4. Girls' Life 30 Under 30
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5. Harvard First-Year Emerging Leader Award
Book Olivia
From keynote speeches about Gen Z activism to panels about college admissions and nonprofit work, Olivia delivers inspiring and insightful talks.
