KCTV 5: She spent her 17th birthday in the hospital. Now she's making sure other kids don't feel alone

By Chandler Watkins

This month, Birthday Brightness was launched at Children’s Mercy. It’s a program two years in the making, created by a former patient after she spent her birthday in the hospital.

Sami Tolliver, now 19 years old, says the Children’s Mercy staff and Child Life Specialist program made sure it was a special one, surprising her the day she turned 17.

“My whole room was decorated when I woke up. They had a present for me and everything,” said Tolliver back in 2024. “I just felt so special and so loved on my birthday.”

See the full story via KCTV 5

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KCTV 5: She spent her 17th birthday in the hospital. Now she's making sure other kids don't feel alone

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