Children’s Hospital celebrates Thanksgiving a little early

Videography by Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez

“There’s great food, great joy and many, many hugs,” said pediatric oncologist Mary Lou Schmidt as she surveyed the lively scene around her last Saturday in Student Center West.

About 160 young patients, their families and staff came to have fun at the annual Thanksgiving party sponsored by the Children’s Hospital University of Illinois.

“Many of our families don’t get a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving,” said child life specialist Lindsay Cousins, “so this is a great day and a special occasion for them.”

Besides food, there was face painting, photos, games, food and other activities.

Cancer support organizations such as Children’s Oncology Services, Make-A-Wish, Gilda’s Club, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, Go4the Goal, Flashes of Hope and Girls Scouts were there with information for parents and activities for kids.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research, presented a $150,000 check to support Children’s Oncology Group pediatric cancer clinical trials at Children’s Hospital University of Illinois, Rush and Stroger hospitals.

Photos: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin/UIC Photo Services