Students have one week left to donate items to the athletic training program for chemo care bags, which will be going to patients at Baylor Scott and White Health Center in Dallas. They need items such as fuzzy socks, unscented lotion, earbuds and coloring books.
The drive was started after Coach Bethany Brunett encouraged junior athletic trainer Kennedy Maxwell to honor her mother’s battle with breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We have supported Kennedy and wanted to be her Marcus family throughout this battle,” Brunett said. “It was our way of being able to help her family through this process.”
Maxwell’s mom was diagnosed on Oct. 12 of last year and underwent 15 treatments, which ended in March. She was inspired to help cancer patients after seeing her mother go through chemotherapy.
“It was a long year,” Maxwell said. “I got to go to one of her treatments during spring break, and I just saw what it was like in there. It was kind of depressing.”
According to Maxwell, the items requested for the drive can make treatments more comfortable for chemotherapy patients, but they are commonly forgotten. She hopes that having a chemo care bag to bring to every treatment will make it easier for patients.
In addition, Maxwell supported her mom through treatment and wants to provide the same encouragement to other patients who might not have such a strong support system.
Posters with a list of items requested by the athletic trainers can be found in various parts of the school.
“If patients can see that so many people are behind them then it’s really inspiring,” Maxwell said.
Brunett’s relationship with Maxwell gives her a personal connection to breast cancer awareness and hopes that the community can find a way to connect themselves to the cause as well.
“I know they may not know the student or her mom but hopefully it opens their eyes and does create extra awareness for them instead of just going through the motions but really understanding what it is people fighting this battle actually have to go through,” Brunett said.
Additionally, Maxwell hopes that the community realizes that a small sacrifice can make a big change.
“Even going to the dollar store and getting a few things to donate can make a difference in someone’s treatment,” Maxwell said.
