Bill and Chris Hankee founded the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund in 2007 in memory of their daughter, Krysta Hankee. Krysta died at the age of 22, a few days after having collapsed while exercising. As a way to keep her memory alive and pay forward the impact that Krysta had on her loved ones, the memorial fund set out to positively impact the lives of others. The fund
originally sought to provide scholarships for young people, like Krysta, who were exemplary students and community members. Since its beginning, the fund has expanded to so much more. Today, it works to maintain and support the “Krysta Cares (KC) Fight Club,” inform and create awareness for organ, tissue and corneal donation and to award scholarships.
The KC Fight Club partners with service providers to support those in need in the community. This sector of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund gives gas gift cards to families with significant travel expenses due to health and medical visits. To date, through the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund, the Hankees have been able to give over $70,000 worth of Giant gas gift cards.
Upon their daughter’s passing, the Hankees learned firsthand the benefits of organ, tissue and corneal donation. As an organ donor, Krysta was able to save five lives and enhance the lives of many more, reminding the Hankees and those who knew Krysta that, though one life was lost, many others could still be saved. Recognizing the benefits of donation, a large portion of the fund’s work includes spreading awareness and educating the community about donation.
Sticking to its roots each year, the fund continues to award scholarships for Northwestern Lehigh high school seniors and Lehigh Carbon Community College students. By awarding these scholarships, the Hankees hope to encourage other young people to keep what they considered their daughter’s greatest attributes alive. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement and traits of commitment and a sense of strong friendship—all of which their daughter Krysta Hankee exemplified.
