PALO ALTO, Calif-- How does Packard Children’s Hospital morph itself into a Halloween playground? First, create 50 different trick-or-treat stops. Next, decorate every hall, every desk and every door. Then, build one of the world’s freakiest haunted houses. Throw in a couple hundred caregivers trying to out-costume each other. And finally, invite some of the most special kids in the world.
 
It’s the annual Trick-or-Treat Trail at Packard Children’s, a place where kids with illness can experience the delight of Halloween. It’s a fun and poignant event that patients, families and staff spend weeks prepping, even turning the hospital school into an Intergalactic Space Academy. The haunted house, toys, gooey treats and nutty costumes are all ready for the big day.
 
Of course, it’s not just the kids and their families hitting the Trail. Nurses on 3 West plan to be princesses. The Quality Management team is going all Sponge Bob. Community Relations will hand out pumpkins for decorating. “It’ll be our biggest Trick-or-Treat Trail ever,” said Kirsten Cotten, Child Life/Recreation Therapist and event honcho. And her costume? “It’s a secret,” said Cotten, who didn’t budge when pressed. “You’ll find out on Halloween, just like everyone else.”
 
When the Trail ends at 2:30, things start revving up for the EB Awareness Week rally and Halloween party at 4pm. EB stands for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a group of genetic disorders characterized by exceptionally fragile skin and chronic, painful wounds that never heal. Adults and kids with the devastating disease will be celebrating the conclusion of an inaugural, New York to California, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” EB relay to raise awareness for a condition that’s often disabling and life-threatening. There is no cure. Among those attending the rally and party will be the Chavez family of Stockton, who have 3 sons battling EB. “Public awareness can lead to more funds for research and a possible cure,” said pediatric dermatologist Al Lane, MD, who is leading current EB research at Stanford and Packard Children’s. “The EB relay and rally offers hope to a very brave community, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” (More info is available at http://www.ebrelay.org). 

Halloween events, 10/31/07