Join Us in Supporting #ChildrensHospitalsWeek
To shine a light on the importance of children’s hospitals and how donations help kids get the best care when they need it, the Lauren Small Children’s Center is pleased to participate in the third annual #ChildrensHospitalsWeek.
Kayson Hanly was selected to serve as the 2019 #ChildrensHospitalsWeek Local Champion representing our Lauren Small Children’s Center because he has an amazing story of inspiration to tell. And, his family is dedicated to helping raise funds and awareness for local kids just like Kayson!
The Lauren Small Children’s Center is one of 170 member Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) across North America participating in the week-long initiative March 18-24.
Here are four ways you can get involved to help support #ChildrensHospitalsWeek:
- Wear a Bandage. Show your support for the Lauren Small Children’s Center by wearing a bandage of your choice, taking a photo, and sharing it with the #ChildrensHospitalsWeek hashtag.
- Tune in to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Live-athon at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 20. This two-hour live fundraiser will feature inspiring pediatric patients from the U.S. and Canada and entertainment from celebrity guests. Watch live on Facebook at Facebook.com/CMNHospitals or Twitch at twitch.tv/extralife4kids.
- Start a Facebook fundraiser. Help raise critical funds for the Lauren Small children’s Center. Visit https://cmnhospitals.org/how-to-successful-fundraiser/ to get started.
- Share the below suggested social media copy on your channels.
Facebook: I’m celebrating @MemorialHospitalBakersfield and #ChildrensHospitalsWeek! Learn how you can help at childrenshospitalsweek.org
Twitter/Instagram: I’m celebrating @Mercy_Memorial and #ChildrensHospitalsWeek!
- Donate. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat 62 kids every minute. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.
Story of #ChildrensHospitalsWeek Local Champion – Kayson Hanly:
Just days before his 13-month birthday, Kayson was admitted to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Note that a normal blood sugar level is 80-120. Kayson’s blood sugar level was a staggering 850. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Kayson’s diagnosis turned his parent’s world upside down. They went from being parents of a toddler to being his parents and his pancreas. It was especially hard since Kayson was only 12-months old and couldn’t talk. They will never forget the look that he would give them when his nurses had to prick his finger. He looked at his parents like, “why aren’t you stopping them?” It just crushed his parents, Cody and Amanda Hanly.
Cody and Amanda believe that if it wasn’t for the Lauren Small Children’s Center, Kayson wouldn’t be alive. The care that he received in the PICU felt like one on one. Dr. Ching explained what their new life was going to be like. He was patient and explained things over and over since there was so much to take in with this heavy diagnosis. Kayson’s nurses were also amazing. They treated Kayson like he was their own child. It was more than a job for them. His nurse Liz even recognized Kayson 3 years after his hospitalization at the JDRF walk. To this day when Kayson comes to visit, his nurses recognize him and his parents and shower them with hugs!
Kayson is a happy and active seven-year old who loves to ham it up for the camera! He is in two concurrent sports: Brazilian Jujitsu and baseball. It’s his 3rd season in pitching machine baseball. Kayson also studies Jujitsu is 5 days a week – he even placed 3rd in his very first match.
Kayson is known for leading by example. That’s probably why he was recently selected as student of the month. His favorite expression is, “You gotta be kidding me!” He also loves wresting, so you will hear Kayson quote John Cena and Rey Mysterio frequently.
At home, he loves doing his homework (he’s not your “normal” kiddo).
He is always willing to help. For example, when his parents go to visit friends who have babies, Kayson wants to hold and feed the babies. He’s also always looking out for his friends. He shares his toys and looks for ways to be helpful. His attitude is always upbeat. For example, when he was diagnosed, it didn’t get him down. We have a photo of him in his hospital gown and sunglasses with a huge smile on his face! Even when he gets a shot and it hurts, he tells Cody, “that’s okay dad.”
Currently there are more than 1,000 pediatric diabetic patients in Kern County, so Kayson and his family are passionate about helping to spread awareness about Type 1 diabetes and how the Lauren Small Children’s Center can help.
Have ideas on how to celebrate #ChildrensHospitalsWeek or have a miracle story or experience of your own that you’d like to share? Post it in the comments!
