LONGMEADOW – Six-year-old Claire Kantany of Longmeadow has put her creativeness and ingenuity to work this summer in an effort to help children battle serious illness.

This summer, Claire wanted to do a fundraising lemonade stand. Due to COVID-19, that wasn’t an option. With the help of her family, Claire decided to create a website to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital with her own line of bracelets called Bead Yourself.

“I came up with the name Bead Yourself to encourage everyone to be themselves and to embrace the qualities that make each of them different,” Claire said. “I wanna give other kids the opportunity to go to Boston Children’s Hospital like me. They took care of me and they’re part of my family.”

 Claire was diagnosed with tracheomalacia in 2018 where her airways were collapsing at 100 percent, making it very difficult for her to breathe and overcome illnesses.

Several doctors told Claire’s parents there wasn’t a fix for her condition. That was, until they met the Esophageal Atresia team at Boston Children’s Hospital.

They performed a procedure called tracheopexy, a surgery developed by the surgeons at the hospital where they stitched Claire’s airways to her spine to keep her airways from collapsing.

Now Claire’s airways are open and the surgery essentially saved her life. 

For every person that makes a donation, one of Claire’s handmade bracelets will be sent directly to their home. There’s a donate now button on the website where they put in the donation amounts that they wish to contribute.

Claire’s parents have been in contact with the fundraising team at Boston Children’s Hospital where all of the proceeds will go.

Clair’s goal was to reach $600. Within 24 hours, Claire reached over $5,000 from doctors, clinic staff and other members at the hospital. The goal quickly moved to $6,000 and now, $10,000.

 Claire’s mother, Kristin, said she is overwhelmed with the amount of support her daughter is receiving. She admits this journey has brought her family closer and value the times they have together.

“It’s been a really lovely experience,” Kristin replied. “Especially something good to do during COVID. It’s nice to see the community to come together. It reminds you to take a step back and appreciate everything that we have and what we were given. Claire has been there the whole time to remind us of that.”

Claire explained she loves baking, giving back and donating money to other people. She also noted she wants to have another fundraising website when she’s a teenager or when she graduates from college.

Her ultimate dream is to become a doctor, designer and baker. In a difficult time, the 6-year-old girl said she is encouraging others to stay strong, appreciate life and help those that are in need.

“Even though people don’t have money, they can still be strong,” Claire said. “As long as they believe in themselves. No matter what people think of you, just be strong and always be yourself. Because if we don’t the world wouldn’t be a better place. It’s kind of like peanut butter and jelly. You stick it together and we have each other.”

To learn more about Claire’s fundraising campaign go to beadyourself.shop.