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It really lifted some spirits.
Pediatric patients at the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola were treated to an annual, one-of-a-kind costume, candy, and pizza party to celebrate Halloween — and it was so popular that kids who’ve checked out of care have wanted to come back for it.
“Really, it’s kind of an opportunity for children and families to kind of experience some joy and normalcy,” Kim Krupa, the center’s certified child life specialist, told the Post.
“And provide connection to other families during what can often be very challenging times.”
Moms and dads dressed up as “Paw Patrol” characters and “Woody” from Toy Story to spread cheer for a few dozen kids and their siblings, who got to leave their hospital rooms for a specially decorated conference room where tons of Halloween tunes were bumping.
Spirit Halloween also donated costumes for kids to wear not only at the game filled event, but later in the month when the center and its staff will have an in-house Halloween parade and room-to-room trick-or-treating.
“While some other [off-campus] Halloween day or trick-or-treating, or other parties might be a little up in the air for these families, this is one they know they can do,” Krupa added.
“A lot of families have been selecting their costumes already, and they’re prepared.”
Monday’s festivities were especially thrilling for Declan Maudsley, a three-year-old fighting osteosarcoma bone cancer in his legs.
“This is the first time he’s been out since he was diagnosed. We haven’t taken him anywhere but the doctor’s office and hospital,” said Maudsley’s mom, Thalia.
She added that skilled staff at NYU Langone were able to save the boy’s leg from being amputated.
Declan is not only celebrating his fourth birthday soon, but also finished chemo treatments two weeks ago. That made the party especially sweet for the entire family, who are looking forward to dressing up together again in two weeks.
“He says he wants to be a hot dog for Halloween,” the mom added. “I was thinking I could be ketchup, and my husband could be mustard.”
Krupa is proud that the party, which has been happening since 2012, also brings the kids together in an environment where they don’t feel any different than their peers.
She said they get so excited that “earlier and earlier now, kids want to start talking about their Halloween costumes” – and that past patients have wanted to come back to celebrate.
Gina Aglio’s little boy, Vincent, was diagnosed with leukemia at age six and just enjoyed his third year of the parties, dressing up as a spooky demon after previously wearing a “Scream” mask and a Stormtrooper getup.
“Everyone’s in the same shoes here, and you find your community. So it’s really great,” his mom said.
“He doesn’t even view the other kids as going through something.”
This event was different for now 9-year-old Vincent, as the Aglio family is gratefully celebrating the end of his treatment as the cancer has gone into remission.
Leaving the Halloween parties behind will be “bittersweet” because Vincent and the Aglios have felt so welcome, Gina added.
“My kids love coming to these events.”