The Pre-Medical society traded in their scrubs for capes Friday, Oct. 4 during their annual superhero and princess-themed party at Broward Health’s Children’s Hospital’s oncology unit. For the past two months, club members under the guidance of holiday events chairs, seniors Valeriya Shipulya and Sage Herbert, have planned details of the event, ranging from patient invitations to room decorations. The club raised money for the event through fundraising booths at stores such as Publix and Winn Dixie, as well as annual events like 5K for a Better Day and the Pre-Med Gala. After paying all the expenses of the party, the club donates remaining funds to the hospital directly.
The party consisted of face painting, a photo booth, board games, arts and crafts and Xbox games for the kids and their families.
“It was a fun way to interact with the kids we help every year,” Pre-Med member junior Rita Paixao said.
Food stations with cupcakes, pizza, ice cream and candy filled the room, along with Just Dance projected on the wall for kids to follow along.
Pre-med collects money all year long to fund the party. The remaining money donated to the hospital goes to the unit’s renovations and expansions to serve more children in need. (Photo/Cole Holifield)
“There’s really nothing that compares to seeing the kids’ faces light up when they enter the room with their families and are able to forget their troubles for a bit,” Pre-Med secretary junior Anisa Haffizulla said.
For patients not able to physically attend, Pre-Med officers, dressed in costume, went directly to children’s rooms to make sure everyone gets a chance to feel involved.
At the party, club members invited each child to say what they wanted for Christmas this year. Between this party and the holiday party in January, Pre-Med members pull together funds to buy the children what they asked for. At the holiday party, members personally present the children with their gifts.
