This September, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Roosevelt Park held a month long Childhood Cancer Event. Throughout the month, they engaged in some friendly competition between classes, learned a lot about childhood cancer in the classroom, and invited guest speakers to the campus. One such speaker was Colleen Thompson for the Pediatric Oncology Resource Team through Devos Children’s Hospital. After the event, Colleen invited the campus to participate in their annual Christmas Party at the Grand Rapids Public Museum for all families of the children that they served over the years.
On behalf of the campus, Amanda Holman, Career Services Student Services Representative, and Lisa Picard, Campus Director, proudly accepted the invitation to volunteer. Over 700 families attended this year’s event! During their time there, they were provided with food and drink courtesy of Tim Horton’s. Entertainment was also readily available as they were able to ride the carousel, attend Planetarium shows, and enjoy access to all the attractions of the museum – all free of charge. The highlight of the night, however, was the show performed by the Oncologists, Physicians, Nurses, and Support Staff for all the children. This year was a Star Wars themed event including Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and all the characters.
Out of all the events that the campus has participated in over the last year, Amanda and Lisa both agree that this one was hands down the most fun and most rewarding. Lisa said, “to be able to be a part of a team that is able to make families and children smile during the holiday season when living with the emotions surrounding childhood cancer and the effects of it is the best thing that we could have done.” They are so thankful to have been a part of such an incredible event and look forward to doing more at their campus to benefit childhood cancer survivors and their families.