While he was a patient at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh battling cancer, Michael Carroll was given a lot of stuffed animals to cuddle.

But after a bout with leukemia at age six and a brain tumor diagnosis 10 years later, he didn’t want another teddy bear to love. He was frustrated and wanted something he could crush and throw.

That’s why he created Michael’s Meanies.

The polyurethane foam characters are modeled after the three forms of childhood cancer: Lily Lymphoma, “Lousy” Louie Leukemia and Terry “The Terrible” Tumor. Kids who are fighting the disease can squeeze a meanie while they’re getting blood drawn or toss it against the wall when life gets too intense.

Since 2013, more than 60,000 meanies have been distributed free of charge to 414 hospitals, cancer centers and family care facilities in 50 states and 21 countries.

After designing the monsters on his iPad and building clay prototypes, Michael was able to hand-deliver the factory-made, individually wrapped stress toys to fellow patients in Pittsburgh, his native West Virginia and Hawaii.

Michael died July 3, 2014 at age 17. His parents, Linda and Paul Carroll, are carrying on his legacy through Michael’s Meanies.

“Michael was always so comfortable talking to people,” his mother says. “After they removed his tumor, he heard a little girl crying and he wanted to give her something to help take her fear and frustration away.”

Source: Michael’s Meanies distributes free stress toys to children’s hospitals around the world