Shining Bright

For a patient staying at the medical center, having the opportunity to create a customized piece of jewelry, at no cost, may be the single best thing that happens to them that day … or even throughout their entire hospital stay.

Thanks to the Kendra Cares program by Kendra Scott, Cook Children's patients are able make a necklace or pair of earrings that often becomes a memory of their journey at Cook Children's. The pieces may commemorate medical milestones or celebrate special occasions.

Through this generous program, Kendra Scott associates bring the retail shopping experience and their well-known Color Bar™ to pediatric hospitals around the country, including Cook Children's.

Kendra Scott also became a national partner with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals last year and created a unique children's charm. On sale now in stores and online, the charm (featured left) costs $25 and 50 percent of the proceeds benefit local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, including Cook Children's.

"Through our work with the Kendra Cares program, we get to come to hospitals and sit down directly with the children we are helping," said Sheena Wilde, Director of Philanthropy at Kendra Scott. "The jewelry made becomes so much more than just a piece of jewelry; it becomes a symbol of celebration and of triumph, and being able to focus a core philosophy of our business around philanthropy allows us to sell jewelry differently and really spread the love to those in need."