On Sunday, Dec.16 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Hubbard family will host the 1st Annual Kennedy’s Cause Toy Drive where they will collect toys for Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.
Kennedy Hubbard spent eight months of her infancy in the hospital having been born with lymphatic malformation. During that time and the years that followed, the family saw their fair share of holidays in the hospital.
Having experienced it firsthand, the Hubbard family is eager to make the season a little cheerier for those confined to the hospital. On Sunday, Dec.16 from 5 to 8 p.m., the family will host the 1st Annual Kennedy’s Cause Toy Drive to collect toys for Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children where Kennedy spent her longest hospitalization.
When the lymphatic system does not develop properly, fluid-filled masses, or lymphatic malformations, form with these malformations typically affecting the head and the neck. The malformations are so rare that most people have to travel to find doctors with the knowledge and tools to treat them.
Despite living with the disease and having a tracheostomy until the age of 19, Kennedy has not slowed down. She’s played volleyball at both the high school and collegiate level, and she spends her free time volunteering with the Child Life Department at duPont.
Eight years ago, the Hubbard family started Kennedy’s Cause, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for research on lymphatic malformation. Leanne Hubbard, Kennedy’s mom, said prior to that time, the family made a yearly donation to nonprofits, and eight years ago, they thought: Why not start our own?
So, the family began raising money for research, and along the way, they helped other families dealing with the disease. Leanne said because families often have to travel and take time off from work to receive treatment, they’ve helped pay rent, provided meals and offered an array of help to families with a child undergoing treatment.
Leanne said their time in hospitals has taught them an important lesson.
“Healing the mind is just as helpful as healing the body,” Leanne said.
She said hospitals are stressful situations but having some sort of distraction or play therapy to get kids to open up can make a world of a difference.
Kennedy said what she remembers the most about being in the hospital was the overwhelming sense of boredom. Being confined to a small area and unable to do typical children’s activities, the minutes and hours creeped by slowly for Kennedy.
She said by providing toys and games, they hope to give children in the hospital some sense of normalcy. As part of her volunteer work at duPont, Kennedy visits with children and brings them games or magazines to help pass the time, and through their toy drive, the family hopes to provide the hospital more items to use for healing and coping through play.
On Dec. 16, the family will be outside their Moorestown home roasting marshmallows, serving up hot cocoa, singing holiday songs and, most importantly, collecting toys off the Child Life Department’s Wish List. Attendees are encouraged to bring coloring books, Play-Doh, Lego kits and an array of other items.
This will be the nonprofit’s first toy drive, but Leanne said she hopes it’s the start of an annual tradition. She said Ocean Tents heard about what the family was doing and offered to help with a tent.
Kennedy said the holiday season is all about giving and receiving, and families in the hospital shouldn’t have to miss out.
“We ask people to put themselves in their shoes,” Kennedy said.
Those interested in donating can do so from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 16 at 405 Toll House Lane in Moorestown. To see the full Child Life Wish List or to learn more about Kennedy’s Cause, visit http://kennedyscause.com or https://www.facebook.com/events/1978016955588760.
