TOLEDO, Ohio — Children at the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital in Toledo experienced Halloween and the fun of dressing with a surprise free costume of their own Thursday.
Anastasia Eck said her daughter, Kimberly, was admitted to the hospital for stomach pains two weeks ago.
"We figured maybe she just had like a stomach bug, so we were expecting to just be here for a couple of hours and then get sent home," Eck said.
But it turns out that the stomach bug was much more serious. Kimberly had two large masses on her ovaries, extending the 12-year-old's stay at the hospital for longer than the family expected.
ProMedica is working to keep pediatric patients like Kimberly smiling and comfortable while they endure difficult times.
The healthcare company's Child Life Program worked with Spirit Halloween to bring the store to more than 20 kids at the hospital.
It was a gift that Kimberly's mom said her family is grateful for.
"I didn't know if we were going to be able to afford a Halloween costume this year with bills and now being in the hospital and I haven't been working the last few weeks," Eck said.
Outside of the special event, the Child Life Program works to bring joy to kids in other ways, like offering crafts in the hospital rooms.
"With the kids who can't get out of here and they can't do anything, now they have something to do," Eck said. "They have the arts and crafts, they have markers and colored pencils and paints and [Kimberly] colored a little dolphin for me, so it's nice."
Kimberly said having a costume this year makes her feel hopeful and puts trick-or-treat back on her to-do list.
"Most kids who are in hospitals aren't able to make it to Halloween so giving them something makes them feel warm inside," she said.