On February 22, dozens of people from the community along with Texas Children’s employees attended West Campus’ intimate remembrance ceremony, honoring 31 children who were taken from this world too soon.
The event was coordinated by the West Campus remembrance planning committee detailed below:
The 2020 Remembrance Ceremony Committee:
- Krista Perez, Committee Chair, Child Life Specialist-Cancer Clinic and Infusion Center (4th year, 3rd year Chair)
- Mandy Owens, Committee Member, Decentralized Education Coordinator-Cancer Clinic, Infusion Center, and VAT Services (3rd year)
- Katie Evans, Committee Member, Licensed Clinical Social Worker-PICU (3rd year)
- Faith Kinnear, Committee Member, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner and PICU Provider (2nd year)
- Ellie Wallace, Committee Member, Manager of Patient Support Services (2nd year)
- Stacy Del Greco, Committee Member, Patient Care Manager-Cancer Clinic, Infusion Center, and VAT Services (1st year)
- Gboly Harris, Committee Member, Assistant Director-Child Life, Neurophysiology, Respiratory Care, and Care Coordination (2nd year)
- Shelby Eggen, Committee Member, Child Life Specialist-PICU and Acute Care Units (1st year)
- Amber Hill, CCLS second year on committee
In the first floor conference center, the ceremony opened with a welcome from Director of Outpatient and Clinical Support Services Kara Abrameit, as a slideshow presented touching photos graciously shared by each family. The West Campus Chaplain, Al Cabrera, followed with a beautiful spiritual reflection.
As the program commenced, Evans and Kinnear began reading the names of each of the children that were honored. Kinnear and Eggen also recited beautiful poems, just before bereaved parents, Barry and Kris Heslop, began their keynote speech in support of all families who have lost a child.
For the first time this year, senior interpreter, Ruth Robertson, provided real time Spanish interpretation into individual headsets for families that do not speak English.
Animal assisted therapy coordinator, Adair Galanski and therapy dog Bailey attended the ceremony this year to provide comfort to families and they do daily for Texas Children’s patients.
Just before the program ended, everyone in attendance participated in a reflection activity with messages written on dissolvable paper to place in water. Personal messages were then dispersed at the base of the oak tree outside the cafeteria in continued remembrance.
Many community partners were a large part of this beautiful ceremony; Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant of Katy graciously donated dinner, Bubbles and Blooms provided the floral arrangements, Talents of Notes pianist serenated the event, and Chick fil A Katy generously provided drinks and dessert.
“This year’s remembrance ceremony was a beautiful gathering where families and friends were able to gather and support one another in reflection and remembrance of their children,” Evans said. “The bereaved families in attendance were so grateful to have their child’s memory honored, and this meaningful event could not have taken place without the dedication of all Texas Children’s West Campus staff and support from the Katy community partners involved.”
