BOP Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer 2026 supporting Band of Parents
BOP Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer 2026 supporting Band of Parents
About BOP Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer 2026
Join Us in the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer
Band of Parents proudly presents the BOP Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer, returning to Central Park on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for its second year. Originally founded in 2001 by neuroblastoma warrior Simon Vangel and his sister Sophie, the Kids Walk grew into New York’s largest pediatric cancer event—until the pandemic forced it to pause. In 2025, Simon and his family teamed up with Band of Parents to reignite this powerful event. Together, we walk to raise awareness, fund research, and stand with children and families facing cancer.
Proceeds from the BOP Kids Walk directly support groundbreaking neuroblastoma research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)—bringing us closer to safer, more effective treatments. By walking together, we’re not just funding science—we’re funding hope. Hope for earlier detection. Hope for gentler therapies. Hope for more time.
Your participation sends a clear message: No child should face cancer alone.
Calling All Students:
The BOP Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer is all about YOU! Rally your classmates, form a team from your school, fundraise and be part of an unforgettable day supporting kids battling cancer. Earn community service hours, gain hands-on experience in philanthropy, and be part of something bigger. Join us and show what your school can do!
Date
Starts at: April 18, 2026 8:00 AM
Ends at: April 18, 2026 11:00 AM
Location
Naumburg Bandshell - Central Park
West 72nd Street
New York,NY 10019 USA
Contact
Kim Roginski
718-809-0235
kim@bandofparents.org
A Day for Families
This walk is for all ages. Strollers and wagons welcome! Walk to honor a loved one, raise awareness, or enjoy a family-friendly day in the park. Snacks and refreshments will be provided throughout the morning.
Making a Lasting Impact and Win Prizes
For every $250 you raise, you will receive a raffle ticket to put towards the prize of your choice! The more you raise, the more raffle tickets you will receive. Every step brings us closer to new treatments and a brighter future for kids fighting cancer.
With Your Support, We Can Find a Cure for Neuroblastoma, While Reducing the Highly Toxic Nature of Treatment
Band of Parents is the top independent backer of neuroblastoma research at MSKCC. Our mission is to seek projects that have already been examined in the lab and are in need of assistance to rapidly move into a patient population. In the 1980s, fewer than 5% of children diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma survived. Although today, most major medical centers have over a 50% survival rate, far too many children are still dying of this disease. The sad fact is that due to the high cost of research and the small number of children diagnosed annually, pediatric cancer is severely underfunded by both the pharmaceutical industry and the federal government. Less than 8% of the National Cancer Institute's funding goes to fight pediatric cancer. Together, we are bound by hope that a cure is out there. We will continue this fight until not a single child is lost to this disease.