- New ESPN/Mickey & Friends hospital gowns unveiled during special Halloween celebration designed to help children be children while they heal
For children spending time in the hospital, there are a lot of things they don’t get to choose. They don’t choose their diagnosis, their medicine, or their procedures. On Thursday, patients at Connecticut Children’s got to choose something that was entirely theirs: how they wanted to show up for the day.
Connecticut Children’s teamed up with Starlight Children’s Foundation, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company for a special Halloween celebration featuring the debut of new ESPN/Mickey & Friends hospital gowns and pants, along with a visit from Mickey Mouse, Halloween costumes, activities and special surprises for patients and families.
“At ESPN, sports have always been about bringing people together and creating moments of joy, and that’s especially meaningful when we can do that for kids going through something difficult,” said Kevin Negandhi, ESPN’s SportsCenter anchor and College Football Studio host. “A hospital stay shouldn’t take away a child’s chance to have fun, express who they are or simply be a kid. ESPN and Disney are incredibly proud to team up with Starlight and Connecticut Children’s to bring some ESPN sports spirit, some Disney magic and, hopefully, a lot of smiles to children and families here in Connecticut.”
“Something as simple as choosing a hospital gown featuring familiar characters or brands can help a child feel more comfortable and regain a sense of control during hospitalization. These familiar designs can also make conversations with healthcare teams easier, helping build trust so kids feel more confident and engaged in their care,” said Matt Barnhart, Senior Manager, Partnerships at Starlight Children’s Foundation. “We’re grateful to ESPN, Disney and Connecticut Children’s for helping us create moments of happiness and connection that support kids and families throughout their healthcare journey.
Approximately 100 inpatient and outpatient children participated in the celebration, designed to create moments of play, joy and normalcy for children navigating illness and hospitalization.
“For children in the hospital, so much can suddenly feel outside of their control. Their illness, their treatment and their daily routine can all be determined by circumstances they didn’t choose,” said Rachel Stanley, MD, Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children’s. “Giving a child the ability to choose something as simple as the gown they want to wear may seem small, but it gives them a voice and a sense of ownership at a time when that can mean a great deal. Play, choice and joy aren’t separate from caring for children. They are an important part of the healing journey.”
The celebration transformed Connecticut Children’s into a Halloween experience where children could pick out costumes and a Mickey Mouse plushy, participate in activities and spend time with Mickey Mouse himself. The new gowns were unveiled as part of the celebration.
Hospital experiences like these are about more than providing a temporary distraction. Play and opportunities for self-expression can help preserve an important part of childhood during a time that can otherwise be dominated by medical care.
The event also reflects a broader commitment at Connecticut Children’s to care for the whole child. Creating opportunities for play, celebration and choice helps children maintain a sense of normalcy and identity while receiving medical care.
“Children don’t stop being children when they become patients,” said Kelly Foy, Certified Child Life Specialist, Connecticut Children’s. “We’re grateful to ESPN, Disney and Starlight for understanding that and for helping us create experiences that bring joy into the hospital and give our patients opportunities to just be kids.”
The event continued beyond the family resource center celebration, with additional in room visits by Mickey Mouse spread even more magic to patients who were unable to leave their hospital rooms.
Thursday’s celebration at Connecticut Children’s also reflects ESPN, The Walt Disney Company and ABC’s broader commitment to supporting children and families. The event brought moments of joy and connection to patients and their families, and it served as a reminder of the important role research plays in creating hope for the future.
Through the Pediatric Cancer Initiative, ESPN, The Walt Disney Company and ABC are raising $10 million for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation in the lead-up to Super Bowl LXI on ESPN, ABC and Disney+.
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Contacts
Monica M. Buchanan | mbuchanan@connecticutchildrens.org
Megan Nelson | Megan.S.Nelson@espn.com
Grayson Shirey | Grayson.Shirey@espn.com