Smart Carts Bring Smiles to Oishei Residents Thanks to Marcus Smart and Josh Allen

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Cancer is a six-letter word that has driven Memphis Grizzlies point guard Marcus Smart to some of the lowest points of his life. He lost his brother and mother to the disease.

After finding success in the NBA, he wanted to do what he could to help people in similar situations.

“After losing my brother to cancer and being able to join the league (NBA), that’s when I realized I wanted to help people in the situation I was in,” Smart told 7 Sports.

Smart was inspired by his family’s experiences and came up with an idea with his foundation YounGameChanger

“For me, it was Smart Carts. To be able to give these kids and their parents a way to reconnect with society,” he added.

Each “Smart Cart” comes fully equipped with tablets, Nintendo Switches and everything a child needs to take a break from the stress of life in a hospital.

A few of those carts were sent to Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo in May, thanks to Smart’s foundation and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Oishei Children’s Hospital/Kaleida Health

“When I saw this and heard about what Josh was doing, I said these Smart Carts would be a great addition to what he does for those kids up there in Oishei,” Smart said.

Claire Miller is a child life specialist at Oishei and said the Smart Carts have helped children and their families in many ways.

“Even the smallest things and these big donations can touch not just one patient, but many patients who come here,” Miller said. “They immediately light up and smile. You can see the relief in the parents’ eyes to see their children smile again.”

Smart hopes that the collaboration between him and Allen will not only keep those smiles alive, but also show that athletes, no matter their sport, can come together for the good of others.

“That’s what I really wanted to show people: It doesn’t matter if he plays football and I play basketball. Everybody’s here to help and we can all contribute to doing a lot of good things for a lot of good people,” Smart said.

For more information on how you can donate to Smart’s YounGameChangers Foundation, click here.

For more information on how you can donate to the Buffalo Children’s Hospital Foundation, click here.