Community Corner

Bernardsville Student Who Battled Cancer Continues To Inspire

Campbell Hoyt's friends and classmates are collecting new books and blankets to donate to pediatric patients in her honor.

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Campbell Hoyt was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was just 3 years old. Despite battling pediatric cancer for five years, Campbell always wanted to help others.

“She was always looking to help other kids even in the middle of her battle,” Campbell’s dad Greg said. “For her birthday when she turned 5, she wanted to have bake sale to help kids at Sloan Kettering. We ended up raising $5,600.”

Throughout her battle, Campbell had a very special bond with her friends. They would come and visit her in the hospital and read her books.

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Cambell lost her battle to cancer in August 2014 shortly before she would become a fourth grader at Bedwell School. But her legacy lives on as her friends and family created a foundation in her honor.

Current sixth-graders at Bedwell are now collecting new books and new blankets to be paired and distributed to pediatric patients at Sloan Kettering during the holidays. The collection will run through Dec. 15. Items will be distributed at the hospital the week of Dec. 20. This project was started by Meghan Robinson in honor of her friend Campbell.

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“It’s heartwarming and gut wrenching at the same time to know she had that kind of impact,” Greg Hoyt said. “She really did have friends that cared about her and care to keep her memory alive and what more can we ask for.”

“Her desire to help other kids has impacted their lives and influenced them to continue that, that’s how you make real change,” Hoyt said.

For more information on Campbell’s Foundation or to make a donation visit teamcampbellfoundation.org. The foundation is run off 100 percent volunteers and every dollar is donated to help fight pediatric cancer.

(Images via Greg Hoyt: Campbell Hoyt)

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