Kansas Teen Helps Distribute Toys to Patients at Children’s Hospital

Soon after 18-year-old Jack Punswick learned he would receive a Make-A-Wish, he quickly abandoned his plans for a free Bahamas vacation and chose instead to spread holiday cheer to his fellow patients at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

The Olathe, Kansas, teen’s selfless decision has since impacted dozens of families navigating some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Punswick, who won the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 6A state title in the 100-yard breaststroke as a junior in 2024, began his senior year at Blue Valley West High School with a Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. He immediately started chemotherapy after the diagnosis in the fall, but was able to rejoin his swim team in December despite the taxing nature of the treatments.

Despite the challenges throughout the first few months, Punswick’s hard work and determination ultimately helped him return to the state championships in February 2025, where he finished second in the 100 breaststroke.

Punswick’s inspiring story led to him receiving the 2025 National Spirit of Sport Award from the NFHS, which seeks to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.

Now graduated from high school and cancer-free since April, Punswick said he heard about another person in his community this past fall who coincidentally was also named Jack and had received a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. That diagnosis also came in September — the same month Punswick learned about his own cancer a year earlier.

That was just too many coincidences for Punswick.

“I started thinking, ‘What can I do to help him?’” Punswick said. “And while I was thinking of that, I realized I’m sitting on this Make-A-Wish that has not been granted yet, and I can use it to help people — not only him, but other people in the hospital. So, I started brainstorming. I think I sent my mom a text at like midnight where I was like, ‘What all can I do with this? I just want to help people.’”

From there, Punswick said he came up with the idea of a shopping spree to provide gifts to patients at Children’s Mercy during the holiday season, which Make-A-Wish agreed to support. He recalled that “countless” individuals donated gifts to him and his family while he was in the hospital.

“When I look back, I remember the joy that those brought me,” Punswick said. “I really wanted to bring that same joy to kids during the holidays.”

With the help of Make-A-Wish, Punswick and his family created an Amazon wish list for children at Children’s Mercy. More than 500 gifts were donated through the list, and Punswick was also able to arrange an in-person shopping spree to purchase additional presents after raising more than $2,000.

To maximize the impact of his toy drive, Punswick connected with the Kansas City Chiefs. Star defensive players Chris Jones and Mike Danna made an appearance at a local Scheels to help him pick out gifts. To Punswick’s surprise, the Chiefs players matched donations, and more than $4,000 worth of toys were purchased at the store in late November. Punswick estimated that more than 700 gifts were distributed overall, and his generosity and resilience were admired by the football superstars.

“You look at everything Jack’s been through — his story, his journey — and for him to have such a soul, to not only come through it himself but to give back, that speaks volumes about his character,” Jones said during an interview with KSHB 41 in Kansas City.

Punswick said he shared contact information with gift recipients if they wanted to reach out, and later heard back from several families.

“On each gift that we donated, we had stickers put on with my Instagram for people to reach out if they felt like it,” Punswick said. “I didn’t want to put my phone number or email. The day after, I had families reach out saying, ‘My kid just got a gift,’ and that’s when it really hit me — the level of impact this was going to have.”

During the third week of January, Punswick said he had his nine-month cancer scans, which came back completely clear. During that visit, he said doctors and nurses made sure he knew how much of an impact his toy drive had made.

“That’s what I envisioned,” Punswick said. “I wanted this to leave an impact on people. I wanted this to inspire people. I wanted this to bring joy and hope to kids who are fighting cancer, not just during the holidays but year-round.”

Punswick said he is currently taking a gap year and spending his time working at a local physical therapy clinic and swimming daily. He hopes to one day become a physical therapist full time.

“Throughout my cancer journey, I’ve realized that physical therapy is what I want to pursue,” he said. “I’ve seen the direct impact that a great doctor, physician or health-care worker can make on someone’s life, and I’ve been inspired to do the same for others.”

Jordan Morey is manager of communications and media relations at the NFHS.