If you’ve got it, haunt it. Our friends from Spirit Halloween brought the party to our patients, guaranteeing they have a fa-boo-lous Halloween despite having to spend time in the hospital.
The Spirit Halloween party was eerie-sistable for the kids who found themselves undergoing treatment instead of being able to trick-or-treat this year.
Costumes, masks, crafts and games gave our patients the chance to celebrate a holiday they might otherwise miss.
Show me the mummy – Shop Spirit for your Halloween haul
Whether you’re in search of something scary, your favorite superhero or a Disney princess dress, customers buying costumes at Spirit Halloween can contribute to the cause. The money raised goes to make sure our patients, who are too cute to spook, can celebrate in a big way.
If it feels like déjà boo (that’s the last one, we promise), that’s because this is an annual tradition that’s been happening here since 2010 raising more than $1.3 million for Children’s Hospital Foundation to benefit the child life program.
Organizers from Spirit Halloween say this event is the highlight of their year and it’s because of the generosity of your friends and neighbors.
“The reason why we can do this is with the help of our local community,” explained Ray Smith with Spirit Halloween.
And the families are so very grateful.
“I have never seen this before,” said Aiyana Slater whose baby daughter is a patient. “It definitely is heartwarming because they’re being considered. There are all these events going on outside [of the hospital] that it’s nice for them to have somewhere to come to express their festive feelings.”
Child life at CHoR
All ridiculous puns aside, our child life specialists bring so much joy to our patients and their families at Halloween and all throughout the year.
“Halloween is one of kids’ favorite holidays throughout the year, and it’s really disappointing when they have to stay in the hospital,” said Bethany Fisackerly Burns, child life manager at CHoR. “It also gives us an opportunity to take something off the parents’ plate while they’re here.”
But that’s not all.
“We know that play is very critical part of child development,” Fisackerly Burns explained. “It is a right, it is not a privilege. Play is how they learn, how they grow, how they cope and how they express themselves. So, a big part of what our child life department does is create opportunities for therapeutic play within the hospital.”
What it means for families
It’s no secret to anyone on the CHoR team how important the child life program is to the kids we treat, but there are times when that impact hits close to home. That’s what happened with Dr. Greg Vorona, who is one of our radiologists, but also a dad.
“I've worked closely with child life for over a decade,” Dr. Vorona shared. “But it wasn't until my 7-year-old daughter Natalie was hospitalized last year that I truly understood child life's profound impact beyond my own department. I learned firsthand how psychologically isolating it can be for children and their families when they're confined to hospital rooms, waiting for the next test or procedure. They gave Natalie moments of joy, connection and normalcy when she needed them most.”
But because medical treatments are necessary no matter the holiday, special events and activities are planned year-round for our patients. That’s in addition to the day-to-day support the invaluable team provides.
“Child life specialists are essential members of our care team who help children cope during their most vulnerable times,” said Dr. Vorona. “They help kids be kids first and patients second. Supporting their work through Spirit Halloween's campaign is supporting the heart of what makes children's hospitals special."
Learn more about the types of support child life specialists provide for our patients.
