Our story

Watching kids struggle with emotions is close to my heart, after seeing it first-hand during my daughter’s cancer journey. One daughter, not having the energy to speak and my other daughter quietly hiding the pain away, suffering from anxiety, and later being diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. I could not go through such a journey and learn so many new ways to help children regulate emotions, especially serious ill children, and not do something with the knowledge. This is why My Buddy Boo exists. To help kids learn that all emotions are OK and to share them. It’s OK to feel sad, angry or scared but sticking a Boo Badge emotion on Boo helps children to let others know how they are really feeling, in a non-verbal way, providing support to parents and caretakers so we can best support children when they need it. A huge part of Boo is helping kids to feel seen and heard. My daughter suffered from needle phobia, this is why I designed a port. To help give them a sense of control in a world where they may feel they have lost control in.

Katie O’Reilly - Founder of My Buddy Boo

To date

Boo officially launched in March 2024, and over 50% of all our My Buddy Boos have been donated to children in hospital that are diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Boo is helping with port & insulin pump access, explaining procedures and identifying emotions. We are thrilled that we have teamed up with Koala Kids Foundation & T1Foundation, so together we will reach more children in need. We would love to see every child that walks into a hospital, walk out with a Boo. We will continue to donate… this is our mission.