Hope for Healing: Former patients, staff reunite for inaugural Childhood Cancer Reunion
Members of the Mapp Child & Family Life Program hosted the inaugural reunion to reunite caregivers and patients, and bring more attention to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the challenges many families face.
By Casandra Andrews
candrews@health.southalabama.edu
Marie Mead’s daughter was in middle school when she was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. For six months, Madison Raine, now 15, received treatment at the pediatric infusion center inside USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, her mom by her side.
“It went as well as it could possibly go,” Mead said, smiling. When they heard the hospital was planning a reunion, they knew they had to attend. “We wanted to come back and see everyone. There is nothing like this team.”
The mother and daughter were among those gathered under blue skies on Sunday to reunite with the providers who cared for them during challenging times. And while dozens of cancer survivors were in attendance, there were also children now undergoing treatment who also came with their parents, siblings and grandparents.
“It fills my heart with extreme joy,” said Hamayun Imran, M.D., a pediatric hematologist and oncologist who leads the pediatric oncology program at Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Mobile. He spoke during the event, then spent time with former patients, taking photos and sharing hugs.
Members of the Mapp Child & Family Life Program hosted the inaugural reunion to reunite caregivers and patients, and bring more attention to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the challenges many families face.
Activities included rock painting, visits with pet therapy pooches, a photo booth and refreshments. A caricature artist quickly sketched out images of happy children and teens.
“We believe that it is important for our staff to see their patients thrive after their cancer journey and incredibly important for families whose outcome was not positive to know that we have not forgotten their child,” said Beth Abston, CTRS, a child life specialist with the Mapp Child & Family Life Program. “It's hard to describe the relationship, the bond, that develops between the hospital staff and the patients they care for, especially through a difficult journey like childhood cancer.”
Part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, USA Health’s child life specialists provide procedural preparation and support, therapeutic play and other therapeutic activities for pediatric patients receiving hospital and emergency department care. They strive to create a safe, supportive environment for children, their families, and caregivers as they manage the stress of a hospital visit.
During the event, Abston was surprised by her co-workers with a Human Sunshine Award, bestowed by Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks who leads the Spiritual Health and Counseling Department at USA Health. Besides her daily duties with patients and their caregivers, Abston led this year’s effort to launch the Childhood Cancer Reunion.
