Smartways take teds to hospitals

Smartways take teds to hospitals

Medical logistics operator steps up to deliver bears to sick kids.

National medical logistics company Smartways has teamed up with The Kids’ Cancer Project to deliver cuddly teddies to children in hospitals all over Australia.

The Kids’ Cancer Project Bear Program was created in 2009 to bring much-needed distraction and comfort to children going through difficult and sometimes scary treatment in hospital.

“People can donate one of our plush bears to a child in 70 participating hospitals around the country,” said Dee Schouten, Merchandise Manager at The Kids’ Cancer Project. “We charge a flat cost of $54.95 including postage and handling regardless of where the bear is travelling to.”

While bear donations are tax deductible, all proceeds of bear sales go toward funding vital childhood cancer research. 

“For years I’ve wanted to reduce delivery costs so the Bear Program can fund more research to find better treatments for kids with cancer,” said Schouten. “But it was incredibly hard to find a courier company that would donate their services.”

Enter Smartways. They not only have a large loyal fleet of drivers who want to go the extra mile, but they specialise in medical deliveries – travelling to many of the hospitals already participating in the cuddly crusade.


Learn more: About Smartways


CEO of The Kids’ Cancer Project, Owen Finegan, is thrilled Smartways chose to donate their services to the charity, but is quick to credit Daniel Rizzo for the lead.

Daniel is a Smartways driver whose teenage son Alex had medulloblastoma as a toddler. It was Daniel who inspired the medical logistics company to donate their services to help children with cancer. 


Read more: Science is the solution for kids like Alex


“We couldn’t be happier that Smartways got in touch to help us in our mission to bring about the 100 per cent survival of children with cancer while eradicating the harmful effects treatment can bring,” he said. 

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Daniel Rizzo who courageously spoke up at work about his son’s  cancer journey and our mission at The Kids’ Cancer Project,” said Finegan.

“Now even more money can be invested into bold scientific research to find kinder, more effective treatments for the 950 kids who are diagnosed ever year.”