The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation (EMHCF) is proud to announce a new partnership with Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest to place treasure chests in all three Ephraim McDowell Health emergency departments, including Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville, Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford, and Ephraim McDowell James B. Haggin Hospital in Harrodsburg.

The partnership is designed to provide comfort, encouragement, and joy to children during emergency room visits and other difficult medical experiences. The treasure chests will be stocked with toys, games, and comforting items to help ease fear and anxiety for pediatric patients receiving treatments, tests, or procedures.

Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest began in 2014 after Wyatt, a young boy diagnosed with Burkitt’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, endured more than 119 days in the hospital, including extended stays in the pediatric intensive care unit while receiving intensive chemotherapy treatments. Following his treatment, Wyatt shared with his grandfather that hospitals should have treasure chests for children because hospital procedures were often much scarier than visits to a regular doctor’s office.

Inspired by Wyatt’s compassion and determination to help other children, Wyatt and his grandfather designed and built the first Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest and dedicated it to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in December 2014.

Since then, Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest has expanded to seven locations throughout Kentucky. Each chest is brightly painted with child-inspired artwork, equipped with wheels, and filled monthly with toys and treasures for pediatric patients. The treasure chests are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, allowing nurses and caregivers to bring comfort directly to children during challenging moments.

Through this partnership, the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation will help expand the mission of Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest by ensuring children visiting Ephraim McDowell Health emergency departments have access to moments of comfort and encouragement during stressful and unfamiliar situations.

“When children come into the emergency room, they are often frightened and overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and procedures,” said Nick Spoonmore, Administrator of Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. “Having Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest available across our health system gives our caregivers another way to provide comfort and compassion during some of the scariest moments a child and family may experience. We are honored to partner in bringing this meaningful program to our communities.”

Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest operates solely through donations and is a recognized charitable 501(c)(3) organization. All donations directly support the ongoing stocking and maintenance of the treasure chests.

“Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest was created from one child’s desire to make difficult hospital experiences a little easier for other children,” said Angie Fielder, Director of Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest. “Every child deserves comfort, encouragement, and something to smile about during medical treatment. We are incredibly grateful to partner with the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation to expand this mission and bring joy to children and families across the region.”

The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation believes compassionate care extends beyond medical treatment and includes emotional support for patients and families during vulnerable moments.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to caring for the whole patient and supporting families during difficult times,” said Brandie James, Philanthropy Coordinator for the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation. “Providing children with comfort and reassurance during emergency visits can make a lasting impact on their experience. We are proud to partner with Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest to help bring comfort, encouragement, and smiles to children across all three of our emergency departments.”

For more information about Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest or to support the program, please contact Brandie James at the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation at bjames@emhealth.org