Our Programs
Pink Parties
Launched in 2010 at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Scottish Rite, the Pink Party has become one of our most sought-after programs by Child Life Specialists and pediatric hospitals throughout the United States. We’ve been honored to partner with Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and support the Great HeighTS Clinic by hosting three parties a year, pampering precious girls diagnosed with Turner Syndrome. In addition to Kansas City, Missouri, we host parties in seven other states. And we don’t forget about the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, or any other caregivers who are always by the girls’ side. They get pampered too! Our Pink Parties feature make-up application, hair styling, nail painting, and fun crafts. Each girl is given her very own Shadow Buddy wearing a tutu.
23,750+ girls have been pampered since 2010.
Superhero Program
In 2015, in celebration of our 20th anniversary, we launched the Superhero Shadow Buddy Program giving children the power of extra strength, courage, and love to fight their battles. Every Shadow Buddy that was delivered or donated, came with a Buddy-sized Superhero cape and mask. Through play-therapy we see how powerful it is for a child to have their own Superhero Buddy to help them get through tough days and treatments. Following our initial success, we were able to expand the Superhero Program to include the children themselves, giving them a child sized cape and mask to match their Buddy.
19,500 Superhero Shadow Buddies have been delivered to young patients in the hospital.
10,900 child sized Superhero Capes and Masks have been distributed to children matching their Buddy since 2019.
Summer Backpack Program
Each year, our goal is to provide 1,000 Backpacks to special need camps here in Kansas City and around the country. Shadow Buddies are donated to these camps as well to ease the first day jitters by welcoming the special campers. Endorsed by camp counselors and nurses at the camps, the Buddies are used to teach children about their medical condition and promote a positive self-image. Shadow Buddies Backpacks are loaded with all the camp essentials that include fun activities for boys and girls, toothbrush, comb, water bottle and of course, a specific Buddy for each camp! Their Buddy will be a year-long reminder of the new friendships they made at camp and of special memories that will last a lifetime. Funds raised from our Golf Classic and other private donations support our Backpack program. We also provide our Backpack program to other agencies who support children in need.
19,400 Shadow Buddy Backpacks have been delivered to camps.
Courageous Crew
In 2020, the Shadow Buddies Foundation introduced the “Courageous Crew” Buddies. Due to the COVID pandemic, these Buddies were launched at the perfect time to support frontline heroes. The five Buddies are a Police Officer, First Responder, Firefighter, Physician/Nurse, and Military/Veteran. These Buddies comfort the children of these public servants who are forced to be away from their families for extended periods of time. In addition, the frontline heroes can give these Buddies to children they interact with during traumatic circumstances. Our goal is to continue to highlight and expand this program for years to come. The “Courageous Crew” continues to be instrumental in 2025 supporting frontline heroes.
7,000 Courageous Crew members have been delivered since 2020, including 2,000 in 2025.