CANTON — Carson Thatcher, 10, is just like any other kid.

What You Need To Know

  • Hats of Hope was created by a 10-year-old from Ohio battling brain cancer 
  • The organization has donated thousands of hats to children fighting cancer

  • Hats of Hope accepts donations to make its mission possible

He loves sports and playing video games like Pokémon. Pikachu is his favorite character. 

He is also battling brain cancer. He was diagnosed last May, on his 10th birthday. 

His mother, Melissa Hendershot, said they went to the hospital the day before his birthday because he wasn't feeling well and taking several naps. 

“It took a little bit of some coaxing to go [to the hospital]" said Hendershot. "He was like ‘mom, tomorrow is my birthday, you’re going to take me to the hospital the day before my birthday? I’m like it's fine, you’ll be home, no big deal.'"

The family did not make it home in time to celebrate Carson's 10th birthday. Instead, they had to spend several days in the hospital. 

“The ER doctor came in and said, 'there’s some spots,'" Hendershot said. "(The doctor said) we don’t like what we are seeing and the neurosurgeon is waiting in the next room for you,”

Since then, Carson has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. 

During this time, the 10-year-old said many people and organizations have helped and supported him along the way, so he wanted to do something similar for other "cancer warriors."

“Everyone was giving stuff to me," Carson said. "So I wanted to give stuff to other people.” 

He came up with the idea for 'Hats of Hope' to give fun and inspirational hats to other kids fighting cancer. 

“We were actually coming home from his third round of chemo," his mother said. "We are driving and he goes 'mom, why can’t I help other people like they are helping me?'"

They started out with a goal to collect and give away 500 hats.

“We started off at Akron Children’s and we got super big," Hendershot said. "Our first drop-off was at children’s and we got 300 hats.” 

Hats of Hope has now donated over 2,000 hats and they have plans to keep getting bigger. 

Carson hopes that giving away these hats will remind kids fighting cancer that they are not alone.

Carson said: "Keep fighting!"

If you would like to donate to 'Hats of Hope' click here to visit the organization's Facebook page.