Kennedy carter mizzou student death

Kennedy Carter, a health care administration major at the University of Michigan-Flint, passed away in March, just weeks before her graduation. Despite facing numerous health challenges, she never let them hinder her from spreading joy to others.

Carter’s family is currently collecting toys for Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit to make a donation in her name this Christmas, continuing a tradition she started as a teenager.

Her mother, Stacy Windham, hopes that others will live by Kennedy’s example, emphasizing that one’s circumstances should not prevent them from making the best of their situation.

Kennedy was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease at the age of 13, requiring her to be in and out of the hospital and undergo a kidney transplant.

She found comfort in the nurses and health care workers who cared for her, inspiring her to provide the same comfort to other sick children by collecting toys for them each Christmas.

After high school, Kennedy became a cheerleader at Mott Community College, where she organized toy drives during basketball games.

Aspiring to work in health care and make a difference, Carter completed EMT training and worked as a volunteer first responder in Mayville.

Although her health prevented her from pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse, she graduated with an associate’s degree in science from Mott Community College and transferred to UM-Flint for an online health care administration degree.

Reza Amini, a UM-Flint associate professor and health care administration program coordinator, praised Carter as a brilliant and diligent student who demonstrated responsibility towards her academic achievement and peers.

Carter’s parents recently attended a U-M football game in Ann Arbor with Amini, cheering in Kennedy’s memory.

Windham revealed that her daughter was working on a book about her experiences and hopes to finish it in her honor.

She also encourages others to live a life of purpose and joy, just as her daughter, whose middle name was Joy, did throughout her life.