This article was written by Angela Lin, class of 2019.
It’s not often that children at the hospital can have an opportunity to enjoy a party just for them. The Pre-Med Society hosted their annual Superhero and Princess Party at the Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital Oct. 5 from 12 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Started by Pre-Med members around 15 years ago, the Superhero Party acted as an easy way to give patients of the pediatric oncology unit an opportunity to have some fun and have them write their wish lists for the holidays. Pre-Med uses these wish lists to buy the patients gifts that their families find difficult to afford because of the expensive treatments these patients must endure.
Pre-Med students dress up as superheros to represent patients’ heroic courage throughout their battle against cancer. This year, members decided to also include princesses in the theme of the party.
The planning of the party required weeks of work. Holiday events co-chairs junior Zaina Ghantous and senior Emma Quarequio organized the event in every aspect, from communicating with businesses to donate food to designing the invitations distributed to the patients. Because of Pre-Med’s tight budget, most of the decorations, food and games were supplied by local businesses and students. Pre-Med members worked from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. the preview night to decorate the room.
“We really wanted to transform the space for the kids so that when they walked in they feel overwhelmed with joy,” said Pre-Med co-president senior Sophia Ashiqueali.
Plantation and Boca-Delray Heritage Pre-Med members dressed in superhero costumes and shirts greeted patients as they entered the party. The patients were welcome to enjoy pizza and cupcakes and play one of the many games offered such as Just Dance. Members staffed the arts and crafts table, face painting, board games, iPad games and wish list writing stations. Members and patients posed for photos in front of a makeshift photo station. Hired characters such as Moana and Anna came to visit and entertain the children. Halfway through the party, a few members and characters went up to the oncology unit to visit children who were too weak to attend the party downstairs. They visited each room, handing the children a bag of treats and conversing with them.
“This year the volunteers did an amazing job, and personally I felt as if it was one of the best superhero parties we have done since I’ve joined Pre-Med,” Ashiqueali said.
