Keanu Reeves has been secretly donating money to cancer research for over 20 years

Why this story matters: Not every step forward requires a loud announcement. This story highlights the kind of steady, under-the-radar progress that forms the foundation of a healthier and more compassionate society.

Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to money, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results.

In 1998, Keanu Reeves was filming “The Matrix,” a sci-fi action film that would go on to become one of the most celebrated movies of his career.

At the same time, he had a lesser-known role as a caretaker for his younger sister Kim, who had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1991. As soon as she was diagnosed, Reeves dropped everything to help and even moved closer to her so she had familial support.

“My brother is my prince,” Kim told PEOPLE in 1995. “He listens to every word, to every comma after every word, that you are saying.”

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In 1999, Kim spoke to the Australian magazine Woman’s Day, saying that Reeves had stepped in when she needed him most.

“Keanu helped me so much through my illness,” she said. “When the pain got really bad, he would sit with me and hold my hand, and keep the ‘bad man’ from making me dance.”

“He was supporting me and comforting me all the time, even when he was away,” she added.

Years after he played Neo, it came to light that Reeves — inspired by his sister — had given away 70% of his earnings from “The Matrix” (approximately $31.5 million) to support cancer research in the early aughts.

In 2001, Kim finally went into remission after a decade-long struggle, but Reeves’ interest in cancer research never dwindled.

In 2008, Reeves supported Stand Up To Cancer by taking calls during their televised fundraiser. Years later, when he auctioned a 15-minute Zoom date to raise funds for Camp Rainbow Gold, an Idaho-based children's cancer charity, bidding shot up to $16,600.

And in 2023, he auctioned off a signed “John Wick 4” training uniform to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

But his biggest impact has been happening for over 20 years, all behind closed doors.

“I have a private foundation that’s been running for five or six years, and it helps aid a couple of children’s hospitals and cancer research,” Reeves told Ladies Home Journal in 2009.

“I don’t like to attach my name to it,” he said. “I just let the foundation do what it does.”

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Header image via Governo do Estado de São Paulo

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