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Hospital Buddy Program

  • Program Overview

    Our Hospital Buddy Program (HBP) provides critical, direct support that helps improve the hospital experience for pediatric patients. In partnership with hospital staff, college student volunteers are paired one-on-one with children to help ease the emotional challenges of long-term hospitalization.

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  • Hospital Buddy Role Description

    Learn what it means to be a Hospital Buddy and how you can bring comfort, connection, and joy to children during their hospital stay.

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  • Comfort Kits

    Our Pediatric Comfort Kits are filled with age-appropriate toys/activities, toiletry items, cozy socks and hats, and meal delivery gift cards to support families through long hospital stays. both children and their parents. Each kit is put together with love and care and will help these young heroes and their families know that they are not alone in their fight.

    Help fill a Comfort Kit with love by sending an item from our wishlist!

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  • Share your story

    Your bravery, strength, and love inspires all of us at StudentsCare.

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Participant Testimonials

What patients and parents are saying about the Hospital Buddy Program…

  • Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor

    To the students, I wasn't a 'Cancer Kid'– I was just someone who needed a friend. I don't know if I could have gone through the treatment and survived it without them.

  • Dad of Pediatric Oncology Patient

    It's not often that volunteers become family, but that is exactly what this program does.

  • Mom of Pediatric Oncology Patient

    They helped me realize that no matter how much I think I'm alone in this situation, I always have someone to help me.

  • Mom of Bone Marrow Transplant Patient

    The relief that they gave me to take even 10 minutes out for fresh air, a walk, to think about things other than what you're actually facing. It was definitely an amazing gift.

  • Mom of Pediatric Patient

    Boredom sets in when you are in the hospital day after day... This program is a lifesaver. The volunteers all have wonderful attitudes and are willing to do anything.

  • Mom of Pediatric Oncology Patient

    The volunteers are what helped and maintained Anthony’s smile between games, movies and dancing.

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    Partner Testimonials

    What our partner sites are saying about the Hospital Buddy Program…

    • VP of Partnerships and Programs

      Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida

      I had the opportunity to greet the students at our AdventHealth House and they were wonderful! One of our managers also shared that two children staying with us were having a hard day emotionally and temper-wise, and the craft kits were the perfect gift for them!"

    • Certified Child Life Specialist

      Banner Thunderbird Medical Center

      Some of our patients ask for the volunteers (by name) because they were looking forward to interacting with them knowing they were coming to clinic. The staff has been incredibly thankful for the volunteers because the kids are happier and more easily entertained, and the staff can focus on their jobs more. Parents have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to have a little break (whether they left the room or not) and see their child smile, play and have a good day at the clinic. Staff is always excited to have a volunteer here to help with patient interactions/entertainment, as well as other tasks like restocking, setting up rooms, etc.

    • Certified Child Life Specialist

      University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing

      Some of the students spent many visits with our Chronic patients. The patients so appreciated them. One patient even cried because they were leaving for the day. Child Life is pulled in some many directions that we appreciate our Student Care volunteers to spend quality time with patients.

    • Division Chief and Program Director Pediatric Hematology/Oncology"

      UF Health Shands Children's Hospital

      The program is a way to get enough manpower to provide for all the needs of the patients. So much of medicine is focused now on efficiency and there are a lot of cuts going on. This being a volunteer program is a way to get a lot of help to your patients and doesn’t cost a whole lot of money or resource to do it. So I don’t see any reason not to do it. It’s a great program.

    • Child Life Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator

      Dell Children's Medical Center

      They provide one on one, quality bedside interactions that really support the therapeutic value of play in the hospital setting. Our team loves having them here and almost every unit has someone for them to spend time with!

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    Student Testimonials

    • "Volunteering at Miami Cancer Institute (MCI) has been a meaningful and hands-on experience for me. I work closely alongside [the Child Life Specialist], supporting her whenever she calls on me to assist with patients or help with organizing tasks. Being by her side allows me to step in where needed and contribute to creating a smooth, supportive environment for both staff and families. One of the most special parts of my role is assisting with end-of-treatment celebrations. I help wrap gifts and fill balloons, contributing to moments that honor patients’ strength and resilience. Being part of these celebrations reminds me why I volunteer — to support, uplift, and bring comfort during both challenging and joyful milestones."

      Heidy Umana Ramos

      Florida International University

    • "Volunteering with StudentsCare has been such an impactful and meaningful experience. As part of the Hospital Buddy Program, I visit the local children’s hospital and provide company to the children who are patients, and do things like color, build legos, or play board games. This experience not only helps children cope with a stressful and foreign environment like a hospital, but also provides them with momentary fun that helps ease their time there. This position has taught me so much about the inner workings of hospitals, the importance of connection, and how meaningful it is to give back to your community."

      Henry Brink

      University of Miami

    • "During my first shift at the Ronald McDonald House, I met a 5-year-old girl who confided in me about her little brother’s terminal illness. Through playing games, doing arts and crafts, and just spending time together, I was able to offer her an escape and a sense of normalcy. Through moments like these, I realized that care is not always about solving problems, but about being present and willing to listen. I will carry the stories I’ve collected through StudentsCare with me forever."

      Nandini Rathod

      University of Washington
    • Meet Our Buddies

    Hospital Buddy Program Sites

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