Collecting

Our visit and stay at the hospital last week made us aware again of small things that make a big difference on the pediatric oncology ward.

If you're local, or even if you're not, we are attempting to collect as much of the following items from now until March 4th for the kids fighting cancer at INOVA Fairfax. Most of these are EASY and INEXPENSIVE items that will put smiles on the faces of kids. These are specific needs that our fabulous Child Life Specialist, Miss Holly has requested.

Feel free to share this list with any group or any people who might be of help.

Here's the details:

Items Needed for Kids Fighting Cancer @ INOVA Fairfax

*as requested by Child Life*

· Small, inexpensive “prize” toys for boys and girls ages 2 – 12

o These will be given out in the procedure room on the pediatric oncology ward. This is where all procedures not serious enough for sedation, but still very painful, are conducted. Think dressing changes, troubleshooting mediport issues, IM chemo injections, and the like.

o Items must be new and in original packaging

o Examples include: Hot wheel cars, coloring books, small action figures/dolls, easy puzzles/games, etc.

· Wii and PS2 games (no PS3 systems just yet)

o These items can be new or used, and go a long way in relieving boredom. Each of the rooms has a system installed, but the game selection is very, very small.

· Band-aids with cartoon characters

o The hospital provides plain band-aids, but for young children the cartoon character band-aid is a prize in itself. Boxes must be unopened.