Giving Back: Caitlyn Mortus of Keep Kids Connected
CAUSE: When Caitlyn Mortus was in the hospital battling cancer at age thirteen, she relied on her computer to keep in touch with friends and family. Posting on Facebook and video-chatting with friends comforted her during a time of immense hardship and adversity. After she recovered, Caitlyn, now fifteen, realized that many children with cancer do not have the luxury of owning a personal computer. Caitlyn and her family launched a non-profit organization to give netbook computers to children undergoing treatment.
EFFECT: Keep Kids Connected has donated over 150 computers to children battling cancer and life-threatening illnesses.
GET INVOLVED: Donate online, or if you're in Texas, attend one of Caitlyn's fundraising events.
1/6This teen cancer survivor has created a support network by donating computers to children in treatment.
2/6"In 2009, I was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma [a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]. While I was in the hospital, a family friend gave me a netbook computer. When I was finished with my treatment, I sat down with my mom and brainstormed about we could do to give back. She asked me what gave me comfort when I was in the hospital, and I realized it was my computer. If my blood count was low, I couldn't have visitors. My computer gave me comfort because I could talk with my friends on Facebook or Skype."
3/6"My family and I started Keep Kids Connected, a non-profit that gives netbook computers to children with cancer. Every weekend, we try to go to a hospital or the Ronald McDonald House and hand-deliver computers. We've given out 152 computers. Sometimes we'll ship computers to children, but I really like getting to meet the families and hearing their stories."
4/6"Every year, we have a spaghetti dinner at our church to fundraise to purchase computers. This year, we raised $17,000. Originally, it was just my parents, my siblings, and me working for Keep Kids Connected. Now, we have other people who want to help, so we set up a board and we're planning more fundraisers, like a 'fun run' event."
5/6"When I tell children that I'm giving them a computer that they get to keep for themselves, they sit up really fast and get huge smiles on their faces. It brightens their day. I'm reminded of what I felt like when I was in the hospital, as I remember those days when I felt terrible and I didn't want to do anything. This really means a lot to me."
6/6"I want people to know how important it is for a teenager to stay connected with their friends. A lot of the families who are going through treatment don't have the money to get their kids all the things that they want when they're in the hospital. What if it was you who got taken out of school and you couldn't talk to your friends?"
