Kiteboard 4 Cancer Returns For 20th Anniversary

HOOD RIVER — Three local nonprofits will be beneficiaries of Kiteboard 4 Cancer’s (KB4C) 20th annual event: The Next Door, the Columbia Gorge Health Council (CGHC), and the KB4C Uncompensated Care Fund at CGHC. The event takes place July 11–12 at the Hood River Event Site and is free and open to the public.

“This event has always been about in-person connection and support,” said Tonia Farman, KB4C founder and executive producer. “And I think people are hungry for positive outlets and inspiration right now. We’re combining all that with some additional surprises to make KB4C something that feels less like a spectacle and more like the most fun community gathering.”

About the beneficiaries

Columbia Gorge Health Council collaborates with partner organizations to advance health equity in the Gorge by identifying and removing barriers that prevent people from accessing quality care. The organization is led by people with lived experience, ensuring that its services and advocacy truly reflect the needs of the community it serves.

KB4C Uncompensated Care Fund addresses one of the most pressing and often invisible challenges facing cancer patients: the out-of-pocket costs that can overwhelm a family while a loved one is fighting for their life. Funds support client incidentals such as rent, utilities, transportation, identification documents, and uncovered healthcare expenses, helping ensure that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t also mean financial devastation.

The Next Door brings meaningful support directly into local high schools in response to the growing mental and behavioral health crisis among young people. KB4C funding will support a Peer Youth Mentor program, where trained student mentors provide guidance and informal support to their peers, while a licensed therapist offers direct clinical support to students who need professional intervention. This community-rooted model empowers young people to support one another while ensuring professional care is available to those who need it most.

More info

The 20th annual Kiteboard 4 Cancer will be held July 11-12 at the Hood River Event Site. Admission is free. For more information, visit  www.kb4c.org, or follow KB4C on Facebook (facebook.com/Kiteboarding4Cancer) and Instagram (@kb4.hoodriver).