The donation window for a Carroll child’s toy drive, now in its second year, closes in about a week, and its organizers are putting out a final call for donations. Austin Mollhoff, who is now nine, was just 10 months old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, craniopharyngioma. His mother, Jen Mollhoff, says Austin’s treatment journey has been grueling, with over 100 surgeries, radiation treatments, and infusion therapy sessions, most of them at the University of Iowa (UI) Children’s Hospital. Austin decided last year he’d like to do something for the other kids receiving care, and he and his family delivered a whole trailer of toys and other items with help from the community.
Following last year’s success, Jen says Austin wanted to go even bigger in 2025, but they’ll definitely need a hand.
Due to the nature of the conditions being treated at UI, there are pretty strict regulations on the types and methods of donations. The wish list makes it easy for people to know their contribution will be accepted, and a link to that page is included with this story on our website. Austin is collecting all sorts of items, from toys for the children in the hospital to support materials for their parents. Jen says not everybody wants to order online, so you can also drop off donations at any of the Kuemper Catholic offices.
The donation deadline has been moved back a few days, now Dec. 4, and delivery to the UI Children’s Hospital is planned for Dec. 5. Jen says there have been plenty of times where Austin has needed a pick-me-up while at the hospital, and he says it’s rewarding to be on the other side of that coin.
Links to Austin Mollhoff’s supply and toy drive are included with this story on our website. Every contribution makes a difference for a patient and their family, and the deadline to donate is Dec. 4.
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