For the first time since the pandemic, the annual Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford resumed outdoors in the Dunlevie Garden on Wednesday. In accordance with hospital safety protocols and visitor guidelines, patients and their families celebrated the traditional fall season and a joyful good time with health care staff.
Young patients participated in fall activities such as a scavenger hunt, taking photos at the fall booth, collecting stickers and coloring books, along with selecting their very own pumpkins. Stanford Children’s Health Child Life specialists brought over 200 mini pumpkins to patients’ rooms for those who could not physically attend the event. The colorful, festive occasion is always a welcome distraction during hospitalization.
Irfan Rehman said the pumpkin patch brings a sense of normalcy for his grandson Muhammad, 6, who is currently being treated for leukemia.
“I think an event like this is very helpful for the kids,” he says. “Before Muhammad got sick, he was very much into Halloween, getting ready for it, so I think he’s going to have a good time decorating his pumpkin today.”
For 14-year-old Camila Mazon, today represented hope. “Throughout my stay I have seen a lot of people have struggles, including myself with all these surgeries and procedures. It really warms my heart to see all the kids come out and enjoy the day.”
For more than 10 years, the annual pumpkin patch event has been made possible by the Ambassadors for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and Webb Ranch in Portola Valley, which donated pumpkins to this year’s event. In total, they’ve donated over 1,500 pumpkins for kids and families at Packard Children’s. All proceeds benefit the Ambassadors fund-a-need Hope, Help, and Hugs: A program that provides essential resources for families with a baby in the NICU, including housing, food, and transportation.
