Kenzie Kares

McKenzie launched Kenzie Kares in 2011, an organization dedicated to providing kids undergoing treatments or procedures for life threatening conditions in hospitals across the US with a reason to smile during their stay.

For the first 12 years of her life, Mckenzie was in the hospital at least once every three months for bone treatments. McKenzie often got really sick due to her weakened immune system, so she wasn’t allowed to have visitors or leave her hospital room. McKenzie’s mom was determined to make her room a more familiar and fun environment, so she would decorate the room with different things like pictures or butterflies (McKenzie’s favorite) or bring in different activities like magic noodle art, or even a snowball machine one time. McKenzie’s mom’s actions sparked the idea for Kenzie Kares, as McKenzie was inspired to help create environments for kids in similar situations.

Through Kenzie Kares, McKenzie personally visits and spends time with kids and their families at various hospital centers. Kenzie Kares also provides donations of toys, art & crafts and games directly to the families and/or the pediatric wing of the hospital in general.