Our Founders

Grainne and Clay Owen created Curing Kids' Cancer only a year after losing their nine-year-old son Killian to leukemia.

Grainne was the driving force behind starting the charity. She launched Coaches Curing Kids Cancer during an appearance on the 2004 WSB Care-a-thon raising money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

 The idea: Asking kids' sports teams to donate money in honor of their coach instead of buying a gift. Coaches didn't go without a gift however. In return for a donation, coaches were sent a t-shirt and a personalized certificate.

"I hoped that we could raise $5,000 that first season," Grainne said. "We raised $45,000 – and knew we had a great idea on our hands."

Grainne has raised more than $1 million since that time.

Grainne is a native of London, England and graduated with a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Kent at Canterbury, England. She had a distinguished career in London's financial district, working as International Affairs Advisor at the London Stock Exchange. Grainne has been honored by the Cobb County (Georgia) Junior League for her tireless work in raising money for pediatric cancer research.

"I just couldn't stand by and watch more children and their families go through the agony that we faced," she said. "We have to find the most promising treatments for pediatric cancer and bring them from the laboratory to the bedside."

Grainne's husband Clay is also actively involved with the charity, directing its public relations, web and social media strategies. Clay is employed full time as director of communications at AT&T in Atlanta. Clay's professional career has included working as a producer for CNN in both London and Atlanta, and heading up the media relations efforts at Cingular Wireless. At CNN, Clay was producer of the London-based World Business Today show and worked as location producer at European Union, G7 and G8 Summits. He was part of CNN's award winning coverage of Princess Diana's Funeral. After transitioning to public relations, his work on launching Cingular Wireless was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America with a Silver Anvil Award.

Clay's work with Curing Kids Cancer was recognized by both the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. He holds a B.A from the University of South Carolina and an M.A. from the University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

The Owens live in the greater Atlanta area with their three other sons – Pierce, Garrett and Finn. All work with the charity.