When Teen's Mom Had Cancer, Ridgewood Helped. This Month, She Had A New Request

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Two years ago this November, Ridgewood High School senior Kailey Kennedy's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kindhearted people gave her mom a "Blessing Box" containing both health items as well as comfort items, such as pillows and a t-shirt, "designed to make her recovery a bit easier and let her know that she was not alone."

Kailey noticed that the box had a big effect on her mom's well being, so she wanted to do the same for others.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she undertook a project.

“The box contained a variety of items, but I came up with the idea to create cards with messages," Kennedy said this week. "I thought the cards would help breast cancer patients know that they are not alone and that we were sending them strength and 'blessings' to help them through. I reached out to the principals at every school in my district and hoped that I would get at least 200 cards.”

But Kennedy received more than 2,500 cards from students and adults, with student councils and otehr groups getting involved.

“Students as young as three years old drew cards with their handprints and pink ribbons, sending messages of hope and strength," she said. “I am so grateful."

The schools delivered all the cards to Kennedy last week, who will distribute them through the national Blessing Box organization.

Since February of 2019, The Blessing Box project has shipped more than 13,000 boxes to cancer patients, and requests for boxes continue to pour in.

Organized by the Wooden Spool, a company in Sealy, TX, the boxes contain drain shirts, mastectomy pillows, extra pillows, and items sent by other individuals like Kennedy who want to pay it forward.

Kennedy, whose mom is in remission, will ship the cards to the Wooden Spool this month.

“I have been looking at all of the cards and reading the sentiments, and I know that they will be a great addition to the boxes," she said. "I am so grateful to everyone who helped me get this done.”

For more information on The Blessing Box Project or to see how you can help, visit the Wooden Spool’s website.

For more information on Ridgewood Public Schools, visit the district’s website.