National store brings Halloween celebration to patients at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU

By Kate Marino
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Pediatric patients and families at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU will be treated to a special Halloween party Oct. 16 courtesy of Spirit of Children, a program that since 2007 has raised $530,000 for Children’s Hospital Foundation to benefit the Child Life program at CHoR.

“Holidays are an especially hard time for kids to be in the hospital,” said Heather Rossi, senior child life specialist at CHoR. “Spirit makes sure kids can still be part of the fun by bringing Halloween to the hospital in a huge way! It’s our biggest party of the year. While our patients paint pumpkins and pick out costumes, they get to forget about medical treatments and being in the hospital for a little while. They get to just be kids.”

Spirit’s support extends throughout the year. Proceeds have enabled Child Life services to expand at CHoR, improving the patient experience and easing the stress of being in the hospital. Child life specialists support patients and families during medical procedures, help them understand why they are in the hospital and provide a wide range of activities to help kids meet medical goals and have fun. Last year, Spirit’s donations helped fund three new child life positions to extend support in the inpatient, emergency and mental health settings as well as supplies to help child life specialists offer comfort, education and care for kids of all ages. 

 

WHAT:                 Halloween party for children in the hospital, costumes, games and crafts

WHEN:                 Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1 p.m. 

WHERE:               Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU – VCU Medical Center Campus

                            Main Hospital, Seventh Floor

                            1250 E. Marshall St.                               

WHO:                   Patients and families

                            Child life team members

                            Spirit of Children representatives

Media must be escorted into the hospital.