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“Cindy’s commitment to RCFS is amazing and inspiring. She makes pillowcases with hospitalized children, coordinates with staff, is involved in program and financial development, visits chapters and coordinators throughout the country and constantly encourages everyone along the way.”

Cindy Kerr, ’79, M.B.A. ’81, exemplifies how personal challenges can be transformed into profound acts of community service. She graduated from ������ in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising and went on to get a Master of Business Administration in 1981 also from Kent State. She has spent most of her life as a mother, caregiver and volunteer, but in 2002, Cindy’s life was turned upside down when her 12-year-old son Ryan was diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer.

“To comfort him, I began sewing cheerful pillowcases to brighten his hospital room and make it feel more like home through months of grueling chemotherapy treatments,” Cindy said.

Cindy founded Ryan's Case for Smiles (RCFS) in 2007 just prior to Ryan's passing. RCFS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the hospital experience for children with cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

“We initially focused on bringing comfort to children during their hospital stays. Our dedicated volunteer network of local chapters sew and deliver colorful pillowcases to more than 360 hospitals, clinics and Ronald McDonald Houses across North America,” Cindy explained.

RCFS has distributed more than 2.8 million pillowcases and serves more than 75,000 families each year, offering emotional support and a sense of community to children and their families during some of their darkest times.

More than 5.2 million American families experience the trauma of a child being hospitalized annually, and up to 80 percent of children and their families report experiencing some traumatic stress reactions following a life-changing illness, injury or painful medical procedure. To address this, RCFS has expanded its services to support the psychological and emotional needs of patients and their relatives through several research-informed programs.

In-hospital sewing days provide a welcome break from boredom as well as opportunities for creativity and control. CopingSpace.org, an online resource for caregivers, provides webinars and group support to help them navigate the challenges of caring for a seriously ill child. Support workshops for siblings allow a space for them to express their feelings, helping them manage the emotional toll of their sibling’s illness. RCFS also provides coping boxes with age-appropriate items for siblings to explore their feelings surrounding their brother or sister’s diagnosis as well as interactive, digital experiences through JustSibs.org to help them cope with these challenges.

Healthcare professionals can benefit from education on the traumatic impact of childhood illnesses and injuries, so the organization also offers programs to train staff on the topics of medical traumatic stress, caregiver resources, school support and the sibling experience.

RCFS has provided professional development opportunities to nearly 1,000 child life and social work professionals and engaged thousands of volunteers serving sick children and their families. It has also raised more than $34 million in philanthropic and in-kind donations to support RCFS’ mission and volunteers across North America.

“Cindy’s commitment to RCFS is amazing and inspiring. She makes pillowcases with hospitalized children, coordinates with staff, is involved in program and financial development, visits chapters and coordinators throughout the country and constantly encourages everyone along the way,” said Susan Worstall, ’79, M.A. ’90, RCFS hospital coordinator and Cindy’s Kent State roommate.

Cindy and RCFS have been recognized regionally and nationally, receiving awards from Martha Stewart, L’Oreal Paris and the Philadelphia Eagles, among others. Cindy’s dedication exemplifies the spirit of the Distinguished Citizen Award, which celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their community. Through RCFS, she has created a lasting legacy of compassion and support, demonstrating how one person’s initiative can lead to widespread positive change.