Project Sol Flower
A Colorado Story of Light, Legacy and the Power of a Dream
Photos Courtesy of Project Sol Flower
For most people, the term “bucket list” carries a bittersweet weight—a catalog of hopes to chase before time runs out. But for Kaydee Koch, it was something entirely different. Her bucket lists were a celebration of imagination, a way to dream boldly and live with intention. She began crafting them in middle school, filling page after page with color, creativity and possibility. They were vibrant, joyful and full of life—just like Kaydee herself.
When Kaydee was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer, her bucket list took on a deeper purpose. She still dreamed of the experiences she hoped to embrace once she reached remission, but she also felt a growing pull to share the magic of bucket-list dreaming with other young patients. She believed that naming your hopes—even in the hardest moments—could be a powerful act of courage, a way to stay anchored in positivity and future-focused optimism.
“Kaydee was always thinking of others,” says Christy Grosboll, co-founder and director of Project Sol Flower. “During her very first in-patient treatment in 2018, she started talking about giving back. Her idea was simple but profound: give pediatric patients art supplies so they could create their own bucket lists. She believed that the act of dreaming could help them stay inspired throughout treatment.”
That spark grew brighter when Kaydee met Kylie Schwartz, a vibrant 22-year-old undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. Their connection opened Kaydee’s eyes to a significant gap in support for young adults ages 18 to 26—too old for many pediatric programs, yet still deeply in need of community, joy and hope.
After turning 18, Kaydee felt called to fill that gap. She envisioned a foundation dedicated to granting meaningful experiences for young adults facing life-limiting illnesses. She named it Project Sol Flower—a tribute to Kylie’s favorite sunflower and a nod to Kaydee’s own Mexican heritage through the Spanish word sol, meaning sun. The name reflects exactly what the organization has become: a source of warmth, light and love.
Today, Project Sol Flower stands as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—a living extension of Kaydee’s generosity and spirit. Despite her own grueling four-year battle with cancer, she remained steadfast in her desire to give back. She saw clearly that young adults like herself were underserved, and she was determined to change that.
“Organizations like Make-A-Wish support children up to age 18, but not beyond,” Grosboll explains. “Kaydee wanted to create something for older teens and young adults—a place where their dreams still mattered. Although she passed away from Ewing sarcoma before we granted our first official bucket-list dream in July 2022, her legacy shines through every experience we create.”
And those experiences are as unique and imaginative as the individuals who dream them up. Each dream is crafted with care, intention and a deep understanding that joy is a form of healing.
Project Sol Flower has helped make possible VIP Disney adventures, Hawaiian escapes, sing-alongs with Sabrina Carpenter, Denver Broncos game days, Estes Park retreats, Star Wars collector treasures, helicopter rides, curated chef dinner parties and Broadway musicals, among many others.
At its core, Project Sol Flower is powered by community—the Colorado kind, where neighbors show up, grassroots efforts take root, and generosity grows into something extraordinary. Supporters across the state have embraced Kaydee’s mission, helping raise both funds and awareness to ensure that her light continues to shine. Her legacy is not only in the dreams granted, but also in the reminder she leaves behind: that even in the most challenging moments, hope can bloom, and a single spark of kindness can grow into something beautifully life-changing.
