The impact of COVID-19 on everyone, is unprecedented. Despite our significant impact and outpouring of support over the years, we have had to acknowledge that with the loss of our largest fundraiser and personal capacity to serve as a majority volunteer led organization, we simply cannot sustain PSW. As the Founder and Director of Pediatric Stroke Warriors, this decision to close our doors effective August 1st, did not come easily.
When our daughter was born, we felt the isolation of a diagnosis we never knew existed. I can clearly recall what it was like to fight for answers and resources and come up empty, so many years ago. My husband and I founded PSW in 2015 and took our personal experience as a family who navigated this journey with their child and grew it into an actionable organization focused on kids. What began as sharing our family’s story to elevate awareness and connection for other families, quickly grew into the organization we are today. Some life experiences can change you to do better. To do more. To sacrifice a part of you to be a part of change for others. I have been humbled by this opportunity to be part of that change for so many.
On behalf of our board and my family, I share my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of this organization and of me, personally, over the last 5 years. Without the dedicated team of board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners, this organization would not have been as strong or vibrant as it was. Through our fundraising efforts and the generosity of our donors, over the last five years, we have raised and allocated over $640k to serve the pediatric stroke population – which is so powerful!
Our programs served an undeniable purpose - whether it was through early outreach to families with our hospital Warrior Bags and Brave Boxes, providing financial assistance with our therapy grants, or supporting a family’s immediate needs along with research through our partnered Stroke Fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital – we made a difference together! It is every small organizations dream to have that kind of impact in such a short amount of time. I am proud of this and closing our doors does not change that. THANK YOU to everyone who has made this possible with us through the years.
Logistics are valuable, and we will continue to share updates over the weeks to come. It is important to note that due to COVID-19 and current Washington State restrictions, our physical office space has been closed since March and many of our programs have already been on pause. We are committed to fulfilling our remaining therapy grants on behalf of our families, to our partner clinics. We have also made the lasting decision to allocate all our remaining assets as a Legacy Gift to the Stroke Fund within the Pediatric Vascular Neurology and Stroke program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We estimate this will be near $100,000 and we take incredible pride in knowing that support for families and research will continue in our absence within many of our partnered organizations.
As you absorb this information, please know that I am here to listen and process your questions, concerns, and thoughts. We are a culture of people and stories. Celebrating the story of an organization that is about to close is an important tradition that is all too often forgotten. Please feel welcomed to contact us in the coming days and weeks.
I speak on behalf of all of us with PSW, that without a doubt, we will forever be inspired by the thousands of children whose stories we have been a part of and the undeniable resilience we recognize that can only come with being a Pediatric Stroke Warrior.
With the heartfelt sincerity,
Kaysee Hyatt
Founder & Director of Pediatric Stroke Warriors
[email protected]
When our daughter was born, we felt the isolation of a diagnosis we never knew existed. I can clearly recall what it was like to fight for answers and resources and come up empty, so many years ago. My husband and I founded PSW in 2015 and took our personal experience as a family who navigated this journey with their child and grew it into an actionable organization focused on kids. What began as sharing our family’s story to elevate awareness and connection for other families, quickly grew into the organization we are today. Some life experiences can change you to do better. To do more. To sacrifice a part of you to be a part of change for others. I have been humbled by this opportunity to be part of that change for so many.
On behalf of our board and my family, I share my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of this organization and of me, personally, over the last 5 years. Without the dedicated team of board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners, this organization would not have been as strong or vibrant as it was. Through our fundraising efforts and the generosity of our donors, over the last five years, we have raised and allocated over $640k to serve the pediatric stroke population – which is so powerful!
Our programs served an undeniable purpose - whether it was through early outreach to families with our hospital Warrior Bags and Brave Boxes, providing financial assistance with our therapy grants, or supporting a family’s immediate needs along with research through our partnered Stroke Fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital – we made a difference together! It is every small organizations dream to have that kind of impact in such a short amount of time. I am proud of this and closing our doors does not change that. THANK YOU to everyone who has made this possible with us through the years.
Logistics are valuable, and we will continue to share updates over the weeks to come. It is important to note that due to COVID-19 and current Washington State restrictions, our physical office space has been closed since March and many of our programs have already been on pause. We are committed to fulfilling our remaining therapy grants on behalf of our families, to our partner clinics. We have also made the lasting decision to allocate all our remaining assets as a Legacy Gift to the Stroke Fund within the Pediatric Vascular Neurology and Stroke program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We estimate this will be near $100,000 and we take incredible pride in knowing that support for families and research will continue in our absence within many of our partnered organizations.
As you absorb this information, please know that I am here to listen and process your questions, concerns, and thoughts. We are a culture of people and stories. Celebrating the story of an organization that is about to close is an important tradition that is all too often forgotten. Please feel welcomed to contact us in the coming days and weeks.
I speak on behalf of all of us with PSW, that without a doubt, we will forever be inspired by the thousands of children whose stories we have been a part of and the undeniable resilience we recognize that can only come with being a Pediatric Stroke Warrior.
With the heartfelt sincerity,
Kaysee Hyatt
Founder & Director of Pediatric Stroke Warriors
[email protected]
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