In Loving Memory Of Ethan Stevens

A Mother’s Mission to Help Grieving Parents

On the 3rd of March, 2021, the Stevens family’s world was shattered when their eldest son, Ethan, lost his battle with Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, just three days shy of his 14th birthday.

For Kimberly, her husband Michael, and their youngest son Jett, life without Ethan felt unimaginable. Their “awesome foursome” was broken, and the road ahead seemed impossible to navigate.

“Six months after our teenage son Ethan passed away from T-Cell Leukaemia, I returned to work part-time as a psychologist. I knew then my focus would be on finding a way to help parents and carers who were also bearing the deep ache of child loss,” Kimberly said.

A former Whitsunday local, Ethan was a whirlwind of energy as a child—always outdoors, always moving—and later discovered his greatest love: rugby league. He was on track to realise his dream of playing for the North Queensland Cowboys, having represented Queensland Schoolboys at age 12 and trained with the Brisbane Broncos Elite Player Development Squad. But his bright future was tragically cut short when he became unwell on Christmas Day in 2020 and was diagnosed just hours later. Nine weeks after that diagnosis, his family faced the unthinkable.

“I remember, as we slowly picked up the pieces of our broken family, that it was the unwavering love and support from our family, friends and the Moranbah community that helped us keep putting one foot in front of the other,” Kimberly said.

“It was gratitude for this support that gave me an idea of how I could help.”

That idea became the Kids Connecting Parents (KCP) App, a global platform that uses geolocation technology to help grieving parents and carers find and connect with others nearby who understand their pain.

“There is nothing quite like the feeling of relief when you feel immediately and completely understood by someone who has walked in your shoes,” Kimberly said.

“My vision is that when local connections are made, parents will feel more supported and less alone, and build on these meaningful connections—whether it’s going for coffee or starting a local fishing group.”

The app allows parents to search for others in similar circumstances and connect one-on-one or in groups, whether at home or while travelling. Kimberly’s goal is to create opportunities for genuine support networks that reduce the isolation of grief.

The project hasn’t been without challenges. Funding the app’s $250,000 development was daunting, but Kimberly found strength in Ethan’s own resilience. She recalls his courage before his first outpatient chemotherapy treatment.

“He saw tears in my eyes. He turned to me and said, ‘Mum, don’t cry for me, let’s just do this’.”

Today, Ethan’s words and his “never give up” attitude remain at the heart of the app’s mission.

“Thank you to every person and family who donated to help build the Kids Connecting Parents App—we could not have done it without your support,” Kimberly said.

The KCP App has already begun transforming the way parents find comfort, with a growing community built on empathy, shared experience, and connection. It’s also gaining national recognition.

At the 2025 AusMumpreneur National Awards in August, Kimberly was honoured with Gold in Wellness Services and Silver in Overcoming the Odds—an emotional and powerful moment of validation for her vision and mission.

“The 2025 AusMumpreneur National Awards showed me what happens when women gather to lift each other up and change the world—it’s where magic happens,” Kimberly shared.

“Reaching for the stars with every grieving parent across the world. This is for you.”

She also thanked her key supporters and partners who helped bring the vision to life: Motion Curve Studio and Mining Skills Australia.

“Thank you for believing in this vision and partnering with me to build the Kids Connecting Parents App,” she said.

As the app continues to grow, Kimberly remains focused on its core purpose: healing hearts, one connection at a time.

To learn more or support the project, visit kidsconnectingparents.com.

‍

Ethan was a whirlwind of energy as a child—always outdoors, always moving—and later discovered his greatest love: rugby league

At the 2025 AusMumpreneur National Awards in August, Ethan's mum Kimberly was honoured with Gold in Wellness Services and Silver in Overcoming the Odds for her app that is bringing grieving parents together

‍