Mega Doctor News
A hospital stay can be stressful, especially for children, due to fears related to any pain they may be experiencing, an unknown environment with strange sounds and unfamiliar faces and separation from family and friends.
But this All Hallows’ Eve season, South Texas Health System Children’s is teaming up with Spirit Halloween to help make the hospital setting less intimidating for the hospital’s pediatric patients.
For more than five years, Spirit Halloween has generously supported the STHS Children’s Child Life Department, which provides developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions to help support children and families as they become acclimated to the hospital setting they find themselves in.
Through its national Spirit of Children initiative, which uses the excitement and imagination of Halloween, the seasonal retailer’s five Rio Grande Valley stores have helped make local children’s hospital journeys less scary by donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of their Halloween costumes, accessories, décor and more to STHS Children’s through South Texas Health System’s non-profit arm, the Auxiliary to STHS.
Over the last seven years, Spirit Halloween has donated more than $320,000 to STHS Children’s to support hospitalized patients throughout the year, not just during the spooky season.
“Over the years, Spirit Halloween’s generous donations have helped provide a welcome distraction to the patients in our care by allowing us to purchase everything from sensory play equipment to arts & crafts supplies to help make the hospital setting a little less scary,” says Kim Davis, MBA, BSN, RN, Pediatric Administrator, STHS Children’s. “Throughout the week, our staff are able to host activities for our patients that not only reduce their anxiety and stress but put smiles on their faces. None of that would be possible without the continued support of community partners like Spirit Halloween.”
But Spirit Halloween’s investment in the patients at STHS Children’s goes beyond the financial. Every October, the retailer hosts a special pre-Halloween party at the facility in partnership with the Auxiliary to STHS to ensure hospitalized children don’t miss all the excitement leading up to All Hallows’ Eve.
In addition to gifting patients with free costumes and special treats, children and their families are able to take part in Halloween-themed arts & crafts activities, interactive games and more.
“There’s no doubt that children adore the magic and mystery associated with Halloween, even those dealing with health issues that require hospitalization,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director or Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “That’s evident during these annual Halloween parties made possible by Spirit Halloween. It’s uplifting to see our patients completely forget they’re in the hospital setting as they search through piles of costumes to find the perfect one for the season, get their faces painted with Halloween-themed designsand embrace the ghoulish excitement of Halloween.”
This year’s Spirit Halloween party will take place on Wednesday, October 15, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., in the STHS Children’s pediatric playroom located on the hospital’s third floor, with all hospitalized children invited to attend. For those patients unable to attend the party due to medical limitations or restrictions, hospital staff will ensure they’re able to receive their free Halloween costume and take part in all activities from the comfort of their hospital rooms.
“The Spirit of Children initiative is truly the heart of Spirit Halloween and it’s our pleasure to join forces with STHS Children’s and the Auxiliary to STHS to bring some Halloween excitement to the children unable to celebrate the traditional way,” says Whitney Thompson, Rio Grande Valley District Manager of Spirit Halloween.
For more information on this event and additional information on Spirit of Children, including how you can support the initiative while saving money on your Halloween costumes, visit STHSChildrens.com.
| Who: | South Texas Health System Children’s |
| What: | Spirit Halloween Party |
| When: | Wednesday, October 15, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
| Where: | STHS Children’s Third Floor Pediatric Playroom1102 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, TX. 78539 |
