The Shadow Buddies Foundation

The Shadow Buddies Foundation We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children cope with illnesses.

Hospitalization can be a frightening and lonely experience for a child. Our Shadow Buddies are designed to be a friend "just like me," allowing children to feel like there is a friend who understands his or her condition. Our buddies are soft and comforting, and each buddy is specifically designed to be a teaching tool, too--many of our buddies assist medical professionals in helping children understand their prognosis and treatment.

💙 Meet Our Board: Wendy DiskinWe’re proud to spotlight Wendy Diskin, REALTOR® with RE/MAX State Line and a dedicated mem...
09/03/2026

💙 Meet Our Board: Wendy Diskin

We’re proud to spotlight Wendy Diskin, REALTOR® with RE/MAX State Line and a dedicated member of The Shadow Buddies Foundation board.

Wendy’s connection to Shadow Buddies is deeply personal. Her daughter received a Shadow Buddy during a hospital stay at Children’s Mercy at just six years old. That Buddy brought comfort and a smile during a difficult time — an experience that left a lasting impact on Wendy and her family.

Today, Wendy is honored to give back to the organization that once gave comfort to her own family. We are so grateful for her heart, her support, and her commitment to helping children feel a little less alone. 💙

Thank you, Wendy, for being a part of the Shadow Buddies family!

💙 Meet our September Buddies! 💙This month, we’re shining a spotlight on two very special Shadow Buddies created to provi...
09/01/2026

💙 Meet our September Buddies! 💙

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on two very special Shadow Buddies created to provide comfort and connection to children facing serious medical challenges.

🩵 Oncology/Port Buddy — designed to help children feel a little more comfortable and less alone during their cancer journey.

❤️ Sickle Cell Buddy — created to bring comfort and companionship to children living with sickle cell disease.

Every Shadow Buddy is made with a purpose: to remind a child that they are seen, supported, and never alone. 💙

At Shadow Buddies Foundation, our mission is simple: to remind children facing medical challenges that they are never al...
08/30/2026

At Shadow Buddies Foundation, our mission is simple: to remind children facing medical challenges that they are never alone. 💙

Through our specially designed Shadow Buddy dolls, we provide comfort, education, and a friend “just like me” to hospitalized children in Kansas City, across all 50 states, and in 21 countries around the world. 🌎

Each Buddy is thoughtfully created to represent a specific childhood disease or medical condition, helping children better understand their diagnosis and treatment while giving doctors and nurses a powerful tool for care and connection.

Because every child deserves comfort, courage, and a buddy by their side. 💙

08/30/2026

For 15 years, the Pink Party at Children’s Mercy has been creating unforgettable memories for some very special girls. 💕

From hair, nails, and makeup to crafts, laughter, and new friendships, this annual event is all about helping patients feel celebrated, confident, and cared for. Each girl also received her very own Shadow Buddy—a friend who helps bring comfort, understanding, and a reminder that they are never alone on their journey.

Thank you to the incredible volunteers, supporters, and Children’s Mercy team who help make this event possible year after year. Here's to 15 years of smiles, sparkle, and making a difference—one Buddy at a time. 💗

A special moment of connection, courage, and community 💙🧸 Seeing the smiles that Shadow Buddies bring — especially when ...
08/25/2026

A special moment of connection, courage, and community 💙🧸 Seeing the smiles that Shadow Buddies bring — especially when paired with the heroes who support our communities — is what our mission is all about.

Thank you to all the first responders and supporters who help make moments like this possible. 👮‍♂️✨

What a summer it has been! 💙 From Pink Parties and pickleball rallies to our Golf Classic, Lap of America, and Touch a T...
08/22/2026

What a summer it has been! 💙 From Pink Parties and pickleball rallies to our Golf Classic, Lap of America, and Touch a Truck, we are so grateful for every supporter, volunteer, partner, and friend who helped make this season unforgettable.

Each event brought our community together and helped us continue our mission of bringing comfort, courage, and friendship to children facing medical challenges.

KC Non-Profit
Shadow Buddies Foundation

Some of our favorite days at Shadow Buddies are delivery days! There’s nothing better than bringing Shadow Buddies direc...
08/18/2026

Some of our favorite days at Shadow Buddies are delivery days!

There’s nothing better than bringing Shadow Buddies directly to hospitals and facilities and seeing the joy these special buddies bring to kids and families. Looking to get involved? Visit shadowbuddies.org!

KC Non-Profit
Shadow Buddies Foundation

🐾 GALA PUPPY UPDATE! 🐾If you’ve been to the Shadow Buddies Annual Gala, you know one of the most anticipated auction ite...
08/18/2026

🐾 GALA PUPPY UPDATE! 🐾

If you’ve been to the Shadow Buddies Annual Gala, you know one of the most anticipated auction items is always the puppy! 🐶💗

Last year’s gala puppy, Rosie, is officially living her best life! She is very spoiled, very loved, and clearly has her forever family wrapped around her little paw. 🥰

We absolutely love getting to see where our gala puppies end up and the joy they bring to their families!

Stay tuned for more details about this year’s Shadow Buddies Annual Gala and all the exciting auction items you won’t want to miss!

Today is — a day dedicated to celebrating the organizations, volunteers and supporters making a difference in their co...
08/17/2026

Today is — a day dedicated to celebrating the organizations, volunteers and supporters making a difference in their communities. ❤️

One of the best ways to participate? Support a nonprofit you believe in.

Your donation to Shadow Buddies Foundation helps us continue providing comfort and support to children and families when they need it most.

❤️ Donate today through the link in our bio.

✨ Board Member Spotlight: Tanner ✨Tanner has been a dedicated part of the Shadow Buddies Foundation since 2014, serving ...
08/14/2026

✨ Board Member Spotlight: Tanner ✨

Tanner has been a dedicated part of the Shadow Buddies Foundation since 2014, serving on our Board of Directors for the past eight years—including two years as President of the Young Adult Advisory Committee before stepping into his board role.

His journey with Shadow Buddies began as the Philanthropy Chair for his fraternity at UMKC, followed by a summer internship where he helped package and ship Buddies to children around the world. Today, he continues to make a lasting impact by serving on our Gala Sponsorship Committee and leading our annual Pickleball Tournament.

Outside of Shadow Buddies, Tanner is a Business Development Manager for Stason Pharmaceuticals. In his free time, you'll find him exploring new restaurants as a self-proclaimed foodie, spending time outdoors fly fishing, or training for his latest challenge—distance running.

Thank you, Tanner, for your years of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to the Shadow Buddies mission. We're grateful to have you on our team! 💙

Address

14700 W 107th Street # 100
Lenexa, KS
66215

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+19136424646

Website

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