Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Alverson.
Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My role as Operations Coordinator for the Kim Alverson Foundation (KAF) began in early 2024. My mother-in-law, Kim, passed away in January after battling BRAF colon cancer for about two years. Shortly after her passing, my father-in-law expressed his desire to continue Kim’s legacy and help others facing similar challenges.
Kim deeply loved Christ, her family, and caring for others. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 20 years and was a devoted children’s Bible class teacher. She always said that once she beat cancer, she wanted to help others in their own battles. Now that she has received her heavenly reward, we are continuing that mission in her memory.
Together, my father-in-law, Travis; my husband, Tyler; my sister-in-law, Kristen; and I embarked on the journey of establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. From February through September, we spent countless days thoughtfully building KAF from the ground up. Along the way, so many people generously and selflessly poured their time, talents, and resources into helping bring our vision to life.
One of our biggest challenges was narrowing our target population. We knew that, to make the greatest impact, we needed to focus our efforts rather than try to help everyone at once. Because of Kim’s deep love for children, we reached out to the incredible social workers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to begin our work. We also connected with doctors at Vanderbilt’s Ingram Cancer Center who were actively treating patients with BRAF-mutated colon cancer.
As Kim bravely battled cancer, Travis was by her side every step of the way. Through countless doctor’s appointments, treatment days, ER visits, and hospital stays, he noticed that some patients were facing these challenges alone. He began to wonder why. Were their loved ones unable to be there because of work or other financial responsibilities?
A cancer diagnosis brings so much uncertainty, and the financial burden can quickly grow as medical expenses add up, yet everyday bills don’t stop. We recognized that some caregivers might be forced to choose between working to keep up with expenses and being present for their loved ones when they needed them most. We wanted to help ease that burden and provide support so caregivers could focus on what mattered most: being there for the people they love. We strongly believe that healthy caregivers lead to healthier patients.
Once our website, banking, and necessary paperwork were finalized, we were ready to launch our ministry. Since we approved our first application in September of 2024, the Lord’s provisions are abundantly noticeable.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Thanks to the Lord and the tremendous outpouring of support from our community, it has been a wonderful journey, even though it hasn’t been without its challenges. We have learned so much along the way and have adapted as needed. Since September 2024, we have assisted more than 50 families, which has been an incredible blessing.
As we’ve grown, we’ve encountered a variety of challenges that have required us to think creatively and find solutions. We’ve faced language barriers, which led us to add an interpreter to our team so we could better serve families. Sometimes, we encounter situations where certain requirements or technicalities make providing assistance more complicated, so we work to find alternative ways to meet those needs. Our growth has also required us to learn new skills, including transitioning to new accounting software to better manage our operations.
Perhaps the most difficult part of this work is reading applications from families facing heartbreaking circumstances. Each story reminds us why this mission matters, and we do everything we can to help ease the burden these families are carrying.
The generous financial support of our donors has allowed us to provide assistance without the added stress of worrying about whether funds will be available. We are so grateful for the people who have believed in our mission and helped make this work possible.
Each of our fundraisers—the spring color run, summer benefit dinner, fall golf tournament, and fall fishing tournament—came with a learning curve during its first year. We have gained valuable experience from each event and continue to find ways to improve and grow.
One of our ongoing challenges has been balancing the significant need for assistance with the capacity of our team. Every one of our case managers volunteers their time while also maintaining a full-time job and managing family responsibilities. We want to help every family we can, but we also recognize the importance of being thoughtful about our capacity so we can continue serving families well. Learning to navigate that balance has been an important part of our growth as an organization.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kim Alverson Foundation?
The Kim Alverson Foundation is dedicated to showing the love of Christ by helping caregivers support their loved ones in their fight against cancer. Caregivers are vital to a cancer patient by providing support, love, and encouragement. Our belief is that if we help caregivers, we are also helping the patient. The Kim Alverson Foundation is committed to helping caregivers financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
While meeting financial and practical needs is incredibly important, we never wanted to overlook the emotional and spiritual challenges caregivers face. A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family, and caregivers often carry a tremendous burden of their own. To help meet these needs, we have built a network of ministers and Christian counselors who offer encouragement, guidance, and support. Our desire is to care for the whole person, recognizing that caregivers need support, too. We are grounded in the reminder found in Psalm 121:1 that, even in times of trouble, our ultimate help comes from the Lord.
One of the things that sets the Kim Alverson Foundation apart is our commitment to making every donation count. We are incredibly proud of our volunteers, whose time, dedication, and hard work allow us to direct a high percentage of donations toward supporting caregivers and their families. In 2024, 97% of donations went directly toward caregiver support. In the first quarter of 2025, that figure was 98.17%, with 96.76% of donations going directly to families over the full year.
Ultimately, we want people to know that caregivers are not alone. Our goal is to come alongside families during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives, ease some of their burdens, and remind them that they are loved and supported. We are honored to continue Kim’s legacy by serving others in a way that reflects her love for Christ, her compassion for people, and her desire to help those facing cancer.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Take your time. When you’re excited about making a difference, it can be tempting to jump right in and start doing the work. However, building a strong foundation takes time, and the details matter. Think through each decision carefully and consider things from different perspectives. Taking the time to work through the details in the beginning can save you a lot of stress down the road.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to people and organizations with more experience than you. One of our first meetings was with Sherry’s Hope, a well-established and highly respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Lebanon, Tennessee. The wisdom they shared with us was invaluable. We also received helpful guidance with federal paperwork, financial management, and other administrative responsibilities. For each of our fundraisers, we sought out people with relevant experience who could help us make each event successful. You don’t have to know everything yourself, and there is so much to learn from those who have gone before you.
Build a team you can trust. Surround yourself with people who share your vision, values, and work ethic. Find people who are willing to be honest with you, offer constructive feedback, and recognize the blind spots you may not see yourself. A strong team makes all the difference.
Start small. You want to make the world a better place, I completely understand that desire! But you don’t have to do everything at once. Starting small allows you to manage your workload, learn from your experiences, and build a solid foundation. The need will always be there, but your experience, knowledge, and capacity to serve will grow over time. Give yourself permission to grow into the mission rather than trying to accomplish everything right away.
Above all, ask the Lord to guide your steps. Our team has worked diligently, but we know we would not be where we are today without His guidance and provision. There will be challenges and moments when you don’t know what to do next, but we have learned the importance of prayerfully seeking His direction and trusting Him with the outcome. When your mission is rooted in serving others, let Him guide the way.
Pricing:
- $1,500 could keep a roof over a family’s head
- $600 would support a family for a month
- $300 could provide quality food for a family
- $50 could provide gas to get to appointments
- $20 could provide a meal for a couple during a hospital stay
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kimalversonfoundation.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560969217323
- Other: https://vimeo.com/949376704?fl=pl&fe=sh
