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Higgy Bears, Inc.

Higgy Bear's mission is to make scoliosis more "bear-able" for scoliosis patients by providing a friend that is going through the ...Learn more

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Caroline Coderre is fundraising
Help Make Scoliosis More "Bear-able"!
Two years ago I was given the opportunity to help 50 warriors just like me and I am here to do it again.

Hi! My name is Caroline, I am 16 years old, and I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 11. For anyone that doesn't know, scoliosis is when your spine is shaped like an 'S' or 'C' and it affects 9 million people in the United States alone.

My journey started 5 years ago in my pediatrician's office when she had me do the bend test. She saw a slight curve in my spine and noticed my shoulders were uneven. From there we got x-rays, I did physical therapy, and shortly after that I had to be fitted for a custom back brace. Countless x-rays, 3 braces, and a lot of frustration later, I am here, hoping to make a difference!

Higgy Bears is a small, local business (and 501 (c)(3) charity) run by a wonderful friend of mine, Lauren Higginson. She hand-makes different kinds of back braces in various patterns to match the braces of kids with scoliosis. For me, having a Higgy Bear makes this rough journey a lot better, because I feel my furry friend is going through the same thing I am, so I am not alone. I would really like to make an impact by giving other kids who are fighting scoliosis Higgy Bears to hopefully make their journey a bit more “bear-able”.

I have started this GoFundMe, that is connected to Higgy Bears, so all donations will go straight to Lauren. She will then send me a box of various Higgy Bears that I will donate to Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, Hanger Clinic, and FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center, where I go for scoliosis treatments. I have a pretty big goal of raising enough money to donate 200 bears. Any amount helps but if you are unable to donate, spreading the word is great too! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you consider donating to help make scoliosis a little more “bear-able” for others!

If you want to read Lauren's inspirational story or learn more about Higgy Bears, please go to

https://higgybears.com
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23 supporters
Samantha Blacker is fundraising
Samantha's Higgy Bears Fundraiser
As many of you know, I had Chiari Decompression surgery at Boston Children's Hospital in the summer of 2021. It was the beginning of my journey with scoliosis. That fall, I started wearing a back brace 21 hours a day - it's been hard, but I've been doing it so that my curve goes down and doesn't get worse in the future. On my journey, I found this really cool non-profit company called Higgy Bears that makes stuffed animals with a back brace designed for scoliosis patients like me. I got a Higgy Bears brace for my bunny when I started wearing my brace, and it helped me feel better. For my Bat Mitzvah Project, I've decided to raise money to buy as many Higgy Bears as possible to donate to kids that are dealing with scoliosis at a children’s hospital. I will be able to pick out the animals and brace patterns and get to personally take them to the Children's Hospital to donate.

I would like to reach my goal of donating 50 higgy bears to kids with scoliosis. My goal is to raise $1,750 which would cover the cost of 50 higgy bears with a brace on each one (each bear costs $35 dollars but any amount is appreciated)

To learn more about Higgy Bears, click here, https://higgybears.com/

If you have any questions, please contact me below.
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70 supporters
Meredith Riggan is fundraising
Kylie's Higgy Bears Scoliosis Fundraiser
Hi, I’m Kylie Emery, and I’m 12 years old. I found out I have scoliosis in October 2020 during a trip to Wake Med hospital for a COVID scare. When they did a chest X-Ray, they discovered my “bent but not broken” spine. I had just turned 10. Thankfully, I didn’t get COVID, but my life did change that day. I went to Wake Orthopaedics and met Dr. Sami Mardam-Bey, where I began my Scoliosis treatment journey. I have been wearing a hard back brace for most of the day every day since, and as my 13th birthday approaches, I have learned that my scoliosis has progressed to 64 degree left lumbar scoliosis, 57 degree right thoracic scoliosis, and 25 degree left upper thoracic scoliosis and I will receive spinal fusion surgery on July 11th.

When I was 10, I was worried about wearing the brace every day, what other kids would think, how to cover it up at school, and figuring out how to do my day-to-day tasks with less mobility. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of all that, I’m faced with the fear of going through this spinal surgery. BUT I discovered this incredible lady in Michigan named Lauren who helped my family learn all about the resources available, and all the other kids that have gone through the exact same thing. She has created an awesome nonprofit organization called Higgy Bears (https://higgybears.com/) where she creates stuffed animals that are all specifically designed to match their human friends with scoliosis. Some wear their own scoliosis brace, some have curves, some have back scars, and some have even had spinal fusion surgery, complete with sewn in rods and back scars, and the “Surgery Higgy Animals” come with a mini X-ray of their spinal fusion surgeries and scoliosis care package that includes stickers, letters from other patients, a scoliosis awareness wristband, and more!

Since I have surgery coming up and June is scoliosis awareness month, I wanted to create this GoFundMe to donate as many animals as possible to other kids like me, so they can have their own buddy with the same treatment, and to help their journey be just a little bit more “bear-able” as Lauren says!

The proceeds of this fundraiser go directly to Higgybears, and once it wraps up, I will select the types of animals, gather their care packages, and deliver them to my clinic and hospital. There, they will pass them out to their child, tween, and teen patients to ease their pain, calm their fears and help navigate these huge life changes!

I really appreciate any help you can give, as this fundraiser will not only give me something super positive to focus on while I prepare for and recover from my surgery, but it will also change the lives of so many other children right in my area!
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41 supporters
Caitlyn Todd is fundraising
Braving Scoliosis with Caitlyn & Higgy Bears
Hi friends, join me in making a difference by supporting a good cause! I'm raising money for Higgy Bears, Inc. and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2009 at two years old. At that time, and throughout my adolescence, I didn’t know anyone else with scoliosis. I’ve always felt alone in a world full of people who had “normal” routines and lifestyles. Scoliosis can be unpredictable and can be a scary diagnosis for those who feel as if they have no one to share this journey with. Higgy Bears aims to help children and teens going through this trying time by providing comfort in the form of a stuffed animal as well as other support systems. I want to help others in my same situation who face years in a back brace or a serious spinal surgery to know that there are others out there who understand what they are going through and care for them. All the funds raised here will go to purchasing these stuffed animals, which come with either a small brace or scar, and care packages for scoliosis patients at CHOP.

Once again, I appreciate any contribution you are willing to donate, no matter the size. Thank you for helping me make a difference!

Incase you would like to take a look at the organization, go to higgybears.com for more information.
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38 supporters
Teagan S.G is fundraising
Higgy Bears for Dr.Lark and Scoliosis Awareness
Please join me in making a difference! I'm raising money to benefit Duke Childrens Hospital and Lenox Baker with Higgy Bears! Higgy Bear's mission is to make scoliosis more "bear-able" for scoliosis patients by providing a friend that is going through the same treatment, just in bear form! They make Bears with rods in their backs so children don’t feel alone. My Higgy Bears help me feel as though I was not so alone and I want to do that for other kids! I will be getting Higgy bears and donating them to the Duke Childrens hospital! The money goes directly towards them. Any amount helps! Thanks so much♥️
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29 supporters
Jessica Arnold is fundraising
Mason's Higgy Bear Fundraiser
Want to help a scoliosis warrior like me? I was diagnosed when I was about 1 year old. I wore a brace for many years and I am excited to help others because I know at times I feel alone.

I'm raising money to benefit Higgy Bears, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Higgy Bears, Inc.: Higgy Bear's mission is to make scoliis more "bear-able" for scoliosis patients by providing a friend that is going through the same treatment, just in bear form! They have other animals too! My favorite is the elephant!

Higgy Bears can be made with braces, casts and even surgical rods so that Scoliosis patients feel less alone. I am hoping to raise money to bring Higgy Bears to my orthopedic surgeon to hand out to kids who are getting a brace or a cast or are going to have surgery.

Here is the link to there website so you can learn more: https://higgybears.com

Thank you to everyone!
Mason
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49 supporters
Emma Durham is fundraising
Higgy Bear Fundraiser
Hi! My name is Emma Durham and I am 16 years old. I have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis which is two curves in my spine; both over 30 degrees. I wore a back brace for my scoliosis and I am currently in Schroth physical therapy to help with my posture. Throughout my journey with scoliosis, I found that it was easier to talk about when I felt less alone.

Higgy Bears are special teddy bears specifically for kids with scoliosis. They wear matching mini scoliosis braces and have rods sewn into their backs for kids who have had surgery. They are a friend where one did not exist. Through donating to Higgy Bears, Inc., you will be helping to provide Higgy Bears for kids with scoliosis in Arkansas. Any donation will help make an impact in helping kids, like me, with scoliosis to feel less alone. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause which means so much to me!
0 supporters
Francesca Santinello is fundraising
Raising money for higgy bears!!!
Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Higgy Bears, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Higgy Bears, Inc.: Higgy Bears are special teddy bears specifically for kids with scoliosis. They wear matching mini scoliosis braces and have rods sewn into their backs for kids that have had surgery. They are a friend where one did not exist. Higgy Bears are donated to children's hospitals across the country. Higgy Bears truly make scoliosis more "bear-able" for kids with scoliosis!
0 supporters

From Higgy Bears, Inc.

Fundraisers by the organization that needs your help

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About Higgy Bears, Inc.

Higgy Bear's mission is to make scoliosis more "bear-able" for scoliosis patients by providing a friend that is going through the same treatment, just in bear form!

3586 Liverpool AveKalamazoo, MI 49009

Find Higgy Bears, Inc. at

Causes

Pediatrics

Established

2019

Verified on GoFundMe

2022

Tax ID

84-3298535

NTEE code

Pediatrics

Higgy Bears, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 84-3298535. Donations are tax-deductible. Select content is provided by GuideStar.

Recent Donations

Kevin Luu donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$54 mos
Anonymous donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$204 mos
Jennifer Underberg donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$204 mos
Tracy Aleckson donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$204 mos
Anonymous donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$205 mos
Brandy Rosero donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$505 mos
Kevin Gallich donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$205 mos
Deann Davis donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$205 mos
Marley Freeman donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$205 mos
Richard Sewell donated to Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!
$505 mos

Higgy Bears, Inc.

From the community

Help Make Scoliosis More "Bear-able"!

Samantha's Higgy Bears Fundraiser

Kylie's Higgy Bears Scoliosis Fundraiser

Braving Scoliosis with Caitlyn & Higgy Bears

Higgy Bears for Dr.Lark and Scoliosis Awareness

Mason's Higgy Bear Fundraiser

Higgy Bear Fundraiser

Raising money for higgy bears!!!

From Higgy Bears, Inc.

Help Update Higgy Bear Braces to Plastic!

Lydia's Higgy Bears Brace-A-Thon!

Mirabel's Scoliosis Awareness-A-Thon!

Hayden's Higgy Bear Fundraiser!