After receiving cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 14-year-old Chloe Winters is paying it forward with a heartfelt donation drive for other teens facing similar challenges.
Winters, a freshman at Abington High School, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2023 and, in May 2024, underwent a stem cell transplant from her brother Gavin. Throughout her journey, she found comfort in the support from CHOP’s Child Life Services, a department that helps patients and their families cope with the emotional stress of cancer treatment and extended hospital stays.
In the spirit of giving back, Winters launched a holiday donation drive for teen patients, with the help of her family, friends, and her father Tim Winters’s company, Ambler Savings Bank. Her goal was to provide gifts for teens — an often-overlooked group in donation efforts — bringing them a moment of joy during their treatment.
“Child Life Services made a huge impact on me during my time at CHOP,” said Winters. “I wanted to help other teens who are going through the same thing and show them that they’re not alone.”
The donations — ranging from art supplies and games to room decorations — serve as small but powerful reminders of hope and happiness.
“These items go a long way in promoting normalization, comfort, and distraction at a time when it’s needed most,” said Michelle Jendo, Child Life Specialist at CHOP. “All of these benefits are steppingstones to aide in positive coping for our teen patients who are in the hospital. Oftentimes, their normal routines are disrupted by hospitalization, and these items provide a sense of familiarity.”
Ambler Savings Bank played a key role in the success of the drive, with more than 100 items collected, thanks to the efforts of Tim Winters and other employees.
Chloe’s thoughtful gesture highlights the importance of emotional care for teens facing long-term hospital stays. Thanks to her efforts, many young patients at CHOP will feel the warmth of support this holiday season.
Learn more about how CHOP’s Child Life Services work in partnership with families, interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and community professionals within the evolving healthcare system to meet the psychosocial, emotional, and development needs of children and adolescents.
Learn more about Ambler Savings Bank, a mutually organized community bank headquartered in Ambler, with additional locations in Fairview Village, Limerick, and Bally, as well as several continuing care retirement facilities.
