Those iconic little red wagons from our childhood will soon be available to patients at local children’s hospitals. Radio Flyer launched their first design made specifically for children’s hospitals called the ‘Hero Wagon.’
The Hero Wagon was introduced as part of Radio Flyer’s 20-year partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, which over the years has helped Radio Flyer distribute more than 15,000 wagons to hospitals nationwide.
Now they are donating 1,000 every year to children’s hospitals across the country, including Carilion Children’s Hospital.
Parents Billy and Laura Reece said it brings a bit of comfort for their 2-year-old daughter, Emma, during chemotherapy treatments. Emma is a Leukemia patient at Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. The wagon enables her to easily tour the halls with both her toys and IV pole in tow, giving her a much-needed reprieve from the confines of her hospital room. One hospital staff member said that for kids like Emma, the Hero Wagon is a welcome distraction and can even reduce anxiety among patients awaiting treatment.
“Her favorite thing to do when she is admitted is to go on wagon rides. That’s the one thing we can do every time to pass the time and to keep her happy and to help keep her as comfortable during treatments,” Laura said.
Want to get involved? You can sponsor a Hero Wagon for a local hospital.
For more information about the Hero Wagon, click here.