Our Story

Hi, my name is Ella and I am currently a high school student. When I was nine years old, I started feeling sick. I was nauseous all the time, had trouble eating without pain and was so tired I could barely get through the school day. By the time summer arrived, I couldn’t even walk an entire block without feeling ill. We didn’t know how serious it was until I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 10. By then, I had stopped growing and was severely underweight. It was very difficult for me, especially in the beginning. The first rounds of medication were not successful; I couldn’t tolerate them. In August of 2017, I began receiving IV infusions (Remicade) at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. I am now in remission and feel great but going for IV infusions as often as every four weeks, as well as taking oral medications, is my new “normal” and the inspiration for an innovative project I’m working on.

When I first began the IV infusions, I felt scared, uncomfortable, and alone. I did not know any other kids who were going through the same thing. I kept thinking of ways to make it easier and more comfortable for myself and others who could be experiencing similar discomforts. I love wearing cozy sweatshirts and I know that many other kids do too, especially in hospital settings. But, when you have an IV in your arm, you cannot wear long sleeves. The alternative is using a blanket, which constantly falls off, and if you or the nurses are trying to adjust the tubing or check the IV, it's impossible to keep the blanket on. 

That’s when I first thought of the iVHOODIE.

I wanted a way to wear my sweatshirts during my infusions to stay warm and comfortable. I started talking to my parents about the idea of an IV accessible sweatshirt a few months after I started receiving Remicade infusions. I decided to look online, thinking there must be someone who made this, hoping to purchase one for myself. To my surprise there wasn't anything quite like what I was envisioning.

So, I decided I wanted to make hoodies, for kids and adults getting IV infusions, that are comfortable, motivational, and most of all does not look like a hospital gown or medical-wear.

Not long after I came up with the idea, we noticed an email from ImproveCareNow (ICN) that mentioned a parent and patient innovation grant. We weren’t sure if the iV HOODIES would be a match, but to our surprise, it was! We were awarded the grant and have been moving forward with the iV HOODIES project ever since. We have partnered with the infusion center nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital and ICN to make the iV HOODIES a reality. We have donated 50 sweatshirts and we are now on a mission to provide comfort and empowerment to anyone receiving IV infusions. 

Today

Today we are taking bulk orders of 50 or more iVHOODIES and can also sell individual iVHOODIES to anyone who would like to purchase one.  We donate a portion of our sales to those living with Crohns Disease and Cancer.