“For me, this decision was a no-brainer because I was treated there for leukemia and remain a patient there at Cure and Beyond,” said Eagle Scout Daniel N. of the Northern New Jersey Council to the Jewish Standard.

After surviving childhood cancer, 17-year-old Daniel N. of Troop 86 is bringing smiles to dozens of faces struggling with the same problems he endured until age seven at Joesph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.

Being hooked up to an IV on a regular basis, Daniel recalls how challenging it was to hold books and other items that would cheer him up during hours of treatment.

With his experience in mind, Daniel wanted to design an Eagle Scout project that would bring joy to patients in cancer treatment.

“My idea was to create a hands-free activity pack filled with items to entertain or at least pass time for the kids,” Daniel said. “I wanted to make something that they could attach to an IV pole, carry over their shoulder, wrap around the hospital bed, or even clip on to something.”

Daniel threw himself into the project and soon transformed his concept into a fully-functioning, hands-free activity pack. After creating the first prototype and presenting the product to the hospital for approval, Daniel constructed 100 more packs with the help of his Scout friends and community donations.

“For me, it has been an incredible journey and a meaningful way to give back and make some sick children a little happier.”

Read Daniel’s full story and find out how he turned his novel idea into a reality by hopping over to New Jersey’s Jewish Standard.