Fun was the prescription at UCSF Children's Hospital on Tuesday as children went door-to-door - or nursing station-to-nursing station - trick-or-treating for Halloween. (see slideshow
here)
Most of the hospital's staff helped hand out candy, including a contingent from the Finance Department, led by Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Ken Jones, who was costumed as Bob the Builder.
Children who were able followed a route that took them to all the nursing stations and many offices on the sixth and seventh floors for treats.
Those who weren't well enough to leave their rooms still participated. This year for the first time the hospital offered "reverse trick-or-treating," with employees taking treats to those children's bedsides.
It's important that children don't feel left out on holidays like Halloween, even though they're hospitalized, said Michael Towne, director of Child Life Services, which organized the event.
"A child in the hospital would really miss the fun of Halloween if we didn't do this," said Towne, who was dressed as a giant Koosh Ball. "It's important to try and make their lives as normal as possible while they're here."
"We do activities like this because this is what they would be doing if they didn't have to be here."
Photo/Myrna Giannoulis
Related Links:
Spotlight Slideshow: Children Celebrate Halloween at UCSF Children's Hospital
