November 2, 2020

Halloween fun at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital

Halloween fun was not cancelled for the kids who had to spend the holiday at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

Young patients dressed up in creative costumes and decorated treat bags in preparation of an exciting Halloween parade in the pediatric inpatient unit on the second floor of the hospital.

Dozens of hospital staff dressed up in their very best costumes to put on a fun parade, with the patients watching the excitement from their rooms. Patients were at their doors with their decorated bags ready to take in the fun and receive some treats. Child Life program staff and other JPCH staff reversed trick-or-treated with the children by delivering the goodies individually to patients’ rooms to help celebrate Halloween safely in their space.

Prior to the fun-filled celebration, patients also enjoyed a Halloween-themed virtual Bingo night. This can often be the highlight of the week for patients with a chance to win some impressive prizes, laugh with family and forget about their health challenges.

Bingo nights are hosted online via Zoom, which is key to ensuring kids in hospital experience the healing power of play, regardless of isolation precautions or COVID-19 restrictions.

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation helps support the weekly Bingo night, and also donated craft supplies for the kids to decorate the treat bags, as well as candy and other goodies for the Halloween celebration.

“We know this Halloween certainly looks different for many families, especially for families with children in hospital. This time of year is such a special time of excitement for kids, and it’s important to bring Halloween activities, treats and fun to them to help create memorable Halloween experiences,” said Lynn Redl-Huntington, Vice-President, Communications at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

This year, Spirit Halloween generously donated a care package containing assorted costumes, activity books, crayons and treat bags. At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program that focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families.

To date, the Spirit of Children program has raised more than $194,781 for Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation since its inception in 2007. Throughout the Halloween season, all local Spirit Halloween stores conduct in-store fundraising to support the efforts of Child Life program staff at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital who help with therapeutic and emotional healing, while doctors and nurses focus on medical treatment.

For the 2020 Halloween season, Spirit of Children helped support more than 140 pediatric hospitals across Canada and the United States.

To support special programming at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, please donate today.