Keaton Barron was an incredible child.  Despite battling leukemia since the age of two and half, he was always positive, mature, sweet, witty, and kind.  He charmed the nurses with his generosity and intelligence and always thought of others before himself.  Despite years of treatment, Keaton never complained about appointments or hospital stays.

​

On January 2, 2018, Keaton, age seven, was in the hospital with the flu. Thankfully, during this stay, his friend Kay Tangner came to visit and declared, “Keaton, we should start a club!”  Keaton agreed, and for the next hour and a half, the two worked diligently to create a kindness club.  They decided to call it “The K Club” since Keaton’s nickname was “K,” and Kay’s name started with a “K.”  Membership fees would be $1 or “whatever a person can afford,” and Keaton decided that the money would be given to charity.  Keaton drew an official logo and chose the K Club mascot, lunchtime, clubhouse, drink, colors, and more.

 

Keaton enjoyed planning his new club, and Kay and his parents thought it would be a fun activity for the children being treated at the Jimmy Everest Center and Oklahoma Children's Hospital.  A few days later, Kay made K Club membership cards that included President Keaton’s signature, the K Club mission, and the K Club Bible verse.  A few nurses and family members began to join, and Kay stated her next big goal: 1,000 K Club members! 

​

Meanwhile, Keaton was receiving intense treatment in Dallas, and his role as President of the K Club kept him distracted as he chose to pay for a well in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bought part of a cow through Heifer International, purchased balloons for other patients on his floor in the hospital, provided gift cards for families with patients in the PICU, and provided treats for the nurses.  By May, the K Club had at least one member in all 50 states and several other countries.

 

Tragically, Keaton’s treatment was unsuccessful, and he passed away on May 11, 2018, at the age of eight.  His family and friends came together to continue Keaton’s mission of kindness, courage, compassion, and caring.  Within a few months, Keaton’s Kindness Foundation became an official non-profit. 

​

Keaton’s Kindness Foundation now works to spread kindness around the world through random acts of kindness with a special emphasis on bringing joy and kindness to pediatric cancer patients and their families.  The K Club hosts monthly Lego parties at Oklahoma Children's Hospital and the OK Kids Korral, assists with funeral costs for children who have passed away from cancer, and provides gifts and treats for children celebrating birthdays, milestones, or who just need some extra encouragement.  

​

The K Club raises funds for local pediatric research and education and has donated over $205,000 to the Children's Health Foundation since 2019.  The K Club also renovated a lounge on the hematology/oncology floor at Oklahoma Children's called "Keaton's Clubhouse," which patients and families can now enjoy. The grand opening to reveal the recently renovated YMCA basketball gym occurred in August 2022 so that the Edmond community can enjoy a new space for the sport Keaton loved.  

​

Keaton’s Kindness Foundation hosts the Keaton Barrón Charity Classic Golf Tournament and the Keaton Barrón Charity Auction in Edmond, Oklahoma, each year.  

​

In Keaton’s short life, he inspired hundreds of people to live with kindness, courage, compassion, and care for others.  His legacy continues to shine through his K Club, and his family and friends are committed to further his mission until no child suffers from cancer and no family loses a precious son or daughter to these awful diseases.  We hope you will join us on Keaton’s mission.