Marcus Smart’s personal loss inspires mission to comfort children battling cancer

Marcus Smart knows what it feels like to watch someone he loves fight cancer. His older brother, Todd Westbrook, battled leukemia and died in January 2004 when Smart was just nine. Years later, the NBA guard began visiting young patients in hospitals and looking for ways to make their stays easier. That effort led to the Smart Carts initiative, which gives children access to games, tablets and ways to connect with loved ones during long hospital stays.How Marcus Smart’s childhood inspired his work with young cancer patientsBefore Marcus Smart became an NBA player, he was a young boy trying to understand his brother’s illness. Todd Westbrook had been diagnosed with leukemia as a child. Smart spent time in hospitals with his family and saw how cancer affected patients and the people who cared for them.Todd’s death left Smart struggling with grief and anger.