After Battling Cancer, 11-Year Old Girl Invented a ‘Chemo Backpack’ to Replace Bulky IV Poles

After her experience battling cancer, an 11-year old girl named Kylie Simonds she found that her life during that time was extremely limited by the poles that held the chemotherapy that pumped into her veins, so she decided to invent a backpack to carry the medication instead, thus allowing pediatric patients to be more mobile while receiving IV treatment. Now Kylie is raising funds on CrowRise to put these backpacks into production.

This year Kylie was challenged with coming up with an invention through her school and the CT Invention Convention. Kylie immediately knew what she wanted to invent. A backpack that could allow children some mobility while receiving I.V. treatments or infusions. Kylie’s backpack couldn’t be just any backpack. Because of the fasionista that she is, these would have to be colorful, gender specific, and awesome. She went to work and with the help from her parents designed a backpack…The design incorporated an I.V. pole with a drip bag protection cage. Kids want to move around and we can’t risk the Medicine bags getting punctured or compressed. This cage is customizable with different shapes, like hearts, peace signs, etc. The designs will make treatment less scary like current I.V. poles are very intimidating to young children.

Bravo Kylie!

Kylie and Backpack

photo via Courage for Kylie

via WTNH, Huffington Post

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.