Moorestown Woman Battling Lymphatic Malformation Receives Inaugural Sports Imports Courage Award

A Moorestown woman who is fighting lymphatic malformation has been recognized for her efforts.

Kennedy Hubbard, a freshman at Stockton University, has been selected to receive the inaugural Sports Imports Courage Award from Sports Imports, Inc., according to the University. Hubbard is a setter on the school’s volleyball team.

She will receive the award at a banquet for this year’s college All-Americans during the NCAA Division I Volleyball Final Four in Omaha, Nebraska on Dec. 17-20.

Hubbard and Kennedy’s Cause, a charity that she and her family founded to fight lymphatic malformation, embarked on a project this summer to have two sand volleyball courts constructed at Jeff Young Memorial Park in Moorestown.

Sports Imports, Inc., a company from Ohio that is a sponsor for the American Volleyball Coaches Association, donated two net systems worth over $7,000 to the project.

The courts were completed with the help of volunteers and dedicated in Hubbard’s honor on July 29.

Hubbard was born with lymphatic malformation, which is a mass of fluid-filled channels around her mouth and jaw. Excess fluid accumulates in the channels, resulting in swelling of the affected area and sometimes in enlargement of soft tissue and bones.

Because of her condition, Hubbard was unable to participate in youth sports until her doctor gave her permission to play volleyball in high school. Playing volleyball gave Hubbard a physical outlet and gave her a support group of teammates and coaches.

Kennedy’s Cause is a non-profit organization that was founded on the belief that recognizing inner beauty in everyone is the most important thing. Kennedy’s Cause strives to find ways to touch those with lymphatic malformation by supporting research for a cure and lending support to families whose children are dealing with medical issues related to the condition.

In her rookie season at Stockton, Hubbard has played in seven matches and dished 14 assists for Stockton, which has a 21-2 record.

The attached image of Kennedy Hubbard was provided by Stockton University