Kyle Knapp is taking on an extraordinary challenge: running the Tahoe 200, a 200-mile ultramarathon, to raise funds and awareness for Little Sparks Project. Every mile of this incredible journey will help support families caring for children with rare and complex medical conditions.

Why Little Sparks Project: Because A Rare Diagnosis Costs More Than Medical Bills

When a child is diagnosed with a rare or complex medical condition, a family’s world can change overnight.

Suddenly, life revolves around hospital stays, specialist appointments, treatments, and making sure their child receives the care they need. But behind those medical challenges is another burden that is often less visible: the financial strain on the entire family.

Parents may have to reduce their hours or stop working to care for their child. Families may travel long distances for specialized care, face significant out-of-pocket medical expenses, purchase essential equipment, or struggle to keep up with everyday household expenses during an extended medical crisis.

The impact is significant. In 2025 and 2026 alone, families supported by Little Sparks Project reported more than $1.1 million in financial impact related to lost income, travel, medical expenses, household expenses, and equipment.

That’s where Little Sparks Project comes in.

Since our inception, Little Sparks has provided grants to 45 families across 15 states, representing 37 different rare and complex diagnoses. Our grants provide direct financial assistance based on each family's unique circumstances and needs, helping relieve some of the financial pressure that can accompany caring for a seriously ill child.

Behind every one of those numbers is a family. A parent trying to balance work with weeks at their child's bedside. A family traveling across the country to access specialized care. A child who needs equipment or modifications to safely return home. A household trying to remain financially stable while navigating an unimaginable medical journey.

Little Sparks helps give families breathing room. We provide practical financial support so families can spend less time worrying about how they will manage the financial impact of their child's diagnosis and more time focusing on what matters most—their child.

Every donation helps us reach another family and create another spark of hope.

Together, we can help families facing rare and complex diagnoses know that they don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Tahoe 200

200 Miles. One Mission. Fueling Hope for Little Sparks Families.

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