Cancer Journey: Man’s Chemotherapy Backpack Story | CTV News

For children undergoing chemotherapy, the experience can be daunting and physically restrictive. Traditional IV poles, while essential for delivering treatment, can be cumbersome, posing tripping hazards and limiting a child’s mobility. However, a solution emerged in 2014, born from the personal experience of a young cancer survivor: the “chemo backpack.”

Kylie Simonds, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, invented the portable IV backpack after her own battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue. Diagnosed at age 11 in 2011, Kylie underwent 46 weeks of chemotherapy. She described the challenges of navigating treatment with traditional IV poles to WTNH News 8, stating, “I lost my hair and always used to get sick easily…I used to have to use the IV poles and I always tripped over all the wires. It was hard to walk around, and I always had to have someone push it for me because I was kinda weak when I was in chemo.”

Recognizing the need for a more convenient and child-friendly option, Kylie designed a lightweight, wearable backpack to hold the IV equipment. The backpack’s design aimed to provide greater freedom of movement, allowing children to participate in activities and feel less confined during their treatment. As Kylie explained, she envisioned “something small for them and not as big like when I first went into the office…those things are huge and scary.”

The prototype of Kylie’s invention gained recognition at the Connecticut Invention Convention, even earning a provisional patent. The backpacks were designed with appealing aesthetics to further ease the experience for young patients.

While Kylie’s initial work was completed in 2014, the concept of portable chemotherapy delivery continues to evolve. In September 2025, a similar approach was highlighted in relation to the treatment of leukemia with Blinatumomab, a therapy that trains the immune system to target cancer cells. This treatment, unlike traditional chemotherapy, is delivered in a backpack format, offering patients increased mobility.

The impact of such innovations extends beyond physical convenience. Virginia Oncology Associates currently offers a “chemo backpack program” as part of its cancer support resources, alongside peer-to-peer support and an annual retreat, demonstrating a growing awareness of the importance of addressing the holistic needs of cancer patients.

Kylie Simonds initially launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for production of the pediatric IV backpack. While the current status of that campaign is not available, her story continues to inspire efforts to improve the quality of life for children undergoing cancer treatment. The initial news coverage of Kylie’s invention, first reported by WTNH News 8, resonated widely, including coverage by Fox News and Yahoo Lifestyle in August 2014.

The story of Kylie Simonds and the chemo backpack exemplifies how personal experience can drive innovation in healthcare. By identifying a practical problem and developing a patient-centered solution, she offered a beacon of hope and a measure of control to young patients navigating the challenges of chemotherapy.