Purple Playas Blog
July 3, 2025
As our nine 2025 Purple Playas Young Adult Grantees move into their next chapter in life, let's celebrate how far they have come and where they are going!
March 24, 2025
There are moments when the stars align and the result is brighter than sunshine. Purple Playas Foundation has a new partnership with Sunshine Health, a Centene company. This organization believes in our mission and is just as passionate about children’s health as us. Sunshine Health operates the Children’s Medical Services Health Plan on behalf of the Florida Department of Health.
July 10, 2024
All 5 of our Anne Nymark Young Adult Grant recipients are receiving a second year of funding to further their education.
October 26, 2023
August 29, 2023
Recently, the Duda Family had a huge family gathering in Orlando, Florida. The Purple Playas Foundation had the honor of being invited to join them as one of this year’s chosen charities.
June 15, 2023
Our 2023 Purple Playas Par-Tee & Golf Tournament was a huge success! The love shared resulted in HOPE for the future, making our mission of supporting children with chronic illness possible!
February 2, 2023
November 30, 2021
With our son’s permission, for Giving Tuesday, we would like to share a little story of our current life with chronic illness. Please be patient as you read…As […]
October 10, 2021
Bridget is a 20-year-old who is going places; she is a junior in college who is double majoring in Biology and Psychology. These degrees will help her achieve her long-term goal of becoming a genetic counselor. For those who are unfamiliar, genetic counselors translate genetic test results for patients. It is the job of the counselor to take this information and help patients make the tough decisions related to both their families, and possible treatments. When she isn’t working towards her long-term goals, Bridget reads books, hangs out with friends, and calls her family. Oh, and she is the co-president of her college acapella group, and an RA for freshmen.
September 2, 2021
EXTRA! EXTRA! All-Call For Kindness!
Positive News is something to SHOUT OUT LOUD about! Learn how we all can spread kindness throughout our world. May you be inspired by these kids, siblings, young adults, parents, and extended family members, who, despite all they endure, rise above and care for others in their communities through their chronically caring acts of kindness!
July 19, 2021
When asked why she wanted to join our Purple Playas Board, Cindy shared, “The most meaningful part of my career has been working with the incredible […]
June 2, 2021
Logan Lentini, a 24-year-old, is about to embark on a 3-day bike ride from Gainesville to Tampa, Florida (170 miles) to raise awareness and money for […]
March 24, 2021
Since completing his project, Kerry has begun delivering the five Power Patch Boxes. Kerry constructed them for UF Shands Health Pediatric Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and Camp Boggy Creek. Recipients were overjoyed to receive this great companion to our Purple Playas Coping Kits.
February 1, 2021
This "chronically caring kid" is our very first Kid Advisor. Welcome to our Purple Playas Advisory Team Kayden. The voice of children is incredibly important to us!
October 14, 2020
I read him the book, “When Purple Puff Gets Scared, Tucker Turtle Teaches Him How to Be Brave”. I couldn't believe how much it helped Daniel feel at ease. Daniel then told me he was ready to have the surgery and be " brave".
August 11, 2020
Revenge of the Electric Cart is based on my childhood growing up with a mom with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). My mom was diagnosed when I was 6 years old. The specialist who diagnosed her said that she’d be wheelchair-bound within a year, but she fought that diagnosis with determination and humor. Finally, she found a good treatment when I was around 11.
July 14, 2020
These 3 amazing siblings created their very own fundraiser benefitting the Purple Playas Foundation!
June 16, 2020
The Purple Playas Foundation is proud to be co-funding a three-year pediatric rheumatology fellowship with the Arthritis Foundation at the University of Florida Health Shands Children's Hospital.
November 26, 2019
Holidays are a really busy time…but we ask you to pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and just imagine… Imagine the sound of kids […]
October 7, 2019
As children open the Purple Playas Coping Kit, SMILES full of JOY light up their faces! Our kits are a home run…bringing excitement to families, engaging […]