Caring for Little Blue Nation
A few years before they moved to Kentucky, Chantel and Mark Stoops were expecting their second son, Zack. When Chantel’s delivery date arrived, an emergency C-section was performed because the umbilical cord had wrapped around Zack’s neck and stomach. She gave birth to an otherwise healthy eight pound boy, but he was kept in the NICU for nearly a week due to the complications during Chantel’s delivery. The Stoops family’s experience in the NICU opened their eyes and hearts to the power of a children’s hospital.
“It's really important for our players to be up close with people that are going through tough times or that have overcome tough times,” said Coach Stoops. “Any small part that we can do to help a young person or to help a family through difficult times, that's the least we can do.”
The Lift Them Up and Coaches for the Kids programs, as well as the team’s overall involvement with the hospital, have been beneficial for players as well as patients, families, and hospital staff. Kash Daniel, a former Wildcat linebacker, is a prime example: through his visits and volunteering, he met his best friend, an eight-year-old named Ellie who’s battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the second time.
Courtney Love, Director of Player Development for the football team, also sees that positivity and joy through the team’s work with Kentucky Children’s Hospital. “Our biggest thing is to get as many guys as we can over to the hospital. They see some of the circumstances that the children have to go through. I feel like our guys do get such inspiration out of it, even just to understand life is not all just about sports. It's about changing lives, helping people be confident and being energized in life.”
