Young patients at UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, get to set aside their hospital gowns for a day. These courageous children, many battling serious illnesses, will transform into super heroes, princesses and even Winnie the Pooh. They can forget about being sick while they enjoy Halloween festivities at the hospital.
“No one likes to miss trick-or-treating,” said Debbie Barrier, child life specialist at The Nebraska Medical Center. “Part of my job is to help children cope with being hospitalized. We find that it’s important to maintain holiday traditions — even in the hospital.”
The children will participate in a special trick-or-treat parade scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today in the Durham Outpatient Center.
Many of the costumes were donated by the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Disney Corporation and by individual families. Children who cannot leave their rooms will still receive treat bags. Those goodies will be collected by volunteers and nursing students who are carrying bags for the young patients who cannot participate.