HOISINGTON — Mary Dutton was recently named director of the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Hoisington. Its mission is to provide funding for families who are living with childhood cancer, create public awareness, and offer hope to families who are affected by childhood cancer.

Dutton was a past member and president of the Kans for Kids board of directors. When she retired from her job at the Kansas Children’s Service League earlier this year, she was approached about taking the position in Hoisington.

“I loved being on the board before,” she said of her terms from 2014 to 2020. But the organization decided to limit service to two three-year terms. “When the board reached out to me, I knew this was the perfect semi-retired job for me. I have always had a passion for serving the children and families of Kans for Kids and I am excited to take on this new role.”

The Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation got its start in 1994 and has provided emotional support and thousands of dollars in financial assistance for 48 families living with childhood cancer. At this time, it is supporting four children and their families from its seven-county service area – Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Stafford, Pawnee, Rush and Russell. According to the organization:

• Layd’n lives in Rice County and was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in May 2017. He just turned 18 years old. Layd’n has gone through multiple rounds of chemo and radiation during his long battle and is still fighting like a superhero.

• Kambree is 11 years old and lives in Barton County. She was diagnosed with Mycosis Fungoides Skin Lymphoma in April 2023. Kambree requires therapy at home three or four times a week with a special UBV light. She is a sweet and inquisitive little girl.

• Enrique is 12 and also lives in Barton County. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in July 2025. He is passionate about soccer, loves Fortnite, and feels most free riding dirt bikes or exploring new places with his family.

• Kyson is 3 years old and lives in Pawnee County. He was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma on March 6 and spent several weeks at Children’s Mercy Hospital. He is the newest child to join the Kans for Kids family.

Kans for Kids was started by 11-year-old Sarah and 8-year-old Shane Reif of Hoisington, who collected aluminum cans to help their 10-month-old cousin, Katie, who was diagnosed with cancer. Today, the project continues to recycle cans. It is also funded by memorials and other donations, and has an endowment fund through the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

Portions of the funds go to the Becky Nicholson/Kans for Kids Scholarship, the Jan Aylward Memorial Scholarship and the Dade Cannon Memorial Scholarship. These scholarships are available to the Kans for Kids children served and their siblings.

There are several fundraisers each year. The next one will be the 11th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on May 2 in Ellinwood.

Mary Dutton and her husband Steve have three sons, a daughter and three stepchildren, along with 13 grandchildren they adore.

Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation’s office at 169 South Main St. in Hoisington is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 620-639-KIDS (620-6395437) or email kansforkidsks@gmail.com. Kans for Kids is also on Facebook and its website is kansforkids.org.