Child gives out hats to spread joy to cancer fighters
(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - After dealing with her own case of juvenile arthritis, one child decided to spread joy to others fighting cancer by giving out hats.
"I want to make people smile."
9-year-old Kaylee Milano got an idea for a stack of hats her mom was making. One she hopes will bring joy to sick children.
"I said, 'We could give them to people with cancer.'"
She understands what it means to be sick but not know why, spending lots of time in the hospital herself. Because of that, Kaylee missed most of the second grade.
"I have juvenile arthritis and like I have to get blood tests and all, and last year was horrible."
A kid in the hospital
When asked what it's like for a kid to be in the hospital, Kaylee said this:
"It's scary."
Kaylee's mother, Amanda, also spoke about the day her daughter went to the hospital.
"It was a nightmare. It's the most terrifying thing because you don't know how to help your child. You don't know what to do to comfort them. I mean even still knowing that she has JIA, there are days when she's in so much pain she sobs."
Sending the caps across the country and the world
Kaylee's arthritis makes it difficult to use crochet needles, so she uses a lumen instead for dexterity. But she and her mom aren't the only ones making hats.
"Some people are sending them from Canada, some people are sending them from Maryland," Kaylee said.
Her mom asking her crochet groups if anyone had extra hats and the response was overwhelming. More than dozens are being sent to Kaylee to take to the hospital.
"I'm going to send them to Sinai first and then just keep going on what hospitals we find."
The Milano's are hoping to make monthly donations to Children's Cancer Centers beginning this month. For more information or to find out how to help you can visit her page on Facebook.
