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
Olivia Zhang is a social impact leader, influencer, and entrepreneur passionate about inspiring and sharing resources for those who have been told, "not you".
Launched when she was just 14, Cancer Kids First 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 43,000 volunteers across 80 countries. Olivia leads all aspects of the organization—from strategy and partnerships to impact tracking to support 15,000 patients in 22 countries.
Beyond CKF, Olivia is the author of the #1 Amazon best-seller (nonprofit category) 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 as a student and founder, garnering over 70 million views and building a community of 320,000+ followers across platforms.
Olivia is working on a new initiative called NOT YOU: a digital storytelling and safe space where individuals who have been told "not you"—because of their age, gender, where they're from, etc—can share their story and empower others. The goal is to increase representation to redefine what is possible for the next generation.
Olivia's work has led her to become the youngest 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact honoree, a recipient of the Diana Legacy Award, the youngest 2025 L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth, and the youngest 2026 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Honoree. She is currently an undergraduate at Harvard University.
Read YOUth
For anyone who's been told, not you.
About Olivia
Follow Her Work
Advisory Board and Youth Activism
Olivia believes in the power of young people.
On her social media channels with over 300,000+ followers, Olivia shares advice, resources, and her journey to other aspiring young change makers. Check out her "Nonprofit Playbook" and "Career Playbok" playlist for free resources as a youth leader.
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 $300,000 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. It you're interested in inviting her to serve on your board or in her consulting services, contact her.
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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2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact
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2026 George H.W. Bush Point of Light Award
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2026 e.l.f. cosmetics x Her Campus 22 Under 22
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2025 Youngest L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth
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2023 Diana Legacy Award with recognition from Prince William and Prince Harry
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2023 Harvard First-Year Emerging Leader Award
Book Olivia
From keynote speeches about chasing your dreams to panels about youth activism and social impact work, Olivia delivers inspiring and insightful talks.
