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Shadow Buddies offering comfort, hope to children in the hospital

Posted at 10:29 PM, Aug 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-17 14:45:32-04

A Kansas City-based foundation is impacting children across the Valley. With the slogan "Special buddies for special children," Shadow Buddies is helping sick children to feel not so alone.

Founder Marty Postlethwait started Shadow Buddies almost 22 years ago after her experience with her very sick young son.

"He told me he wished he had a friend just like him," Postlethwait said. "We made a buddy for him and from that, it blossomed over the last 22 years from four Shadow Buddy conditions, heart, ostomy, surgery or oncology, to over 28 different conditions."

The buddies are built in a warehouse in Kansas City and delivered to kids in 178 hospitals. Shadow Buddies is In all 50 states and 19 countries.

A few years ago, Postlethwait decided to expand on her mission and started hosting special events at hospitals across the country.

That's what brought her to Phoenix Children's Hospital last week.

She collaborated with the Diamondbacks' wives to host a "pink party," helping sick little girls feel special.

"Just to see their faces light up when they get their wigs, or their makeup done, or their nails painted, just to see their faces light up that's what it is all about," said Amy Goldschmidt.

Mother Jessica Schillinger and her daughter attended the two-hour event.

"It's nice for her. She deserves to get out of this hospital life and pamper herself and get that little break," Schillinger said.

If you want to help the organization, you can make a donation by visiting its website.