Art project helps CDH celebrate new wing
The reasons for a stay in a hospital’s pediatric ward are many. From oncology appointments to appendectomies, a child’s stay is never their own choice.
But for children at Central DuPage Hospital, a recent project allowed them to have control over at least one small aspect of their day: how to express themselves creatively.
“For so many kids, being in the hospital doesn’t offer a lot of options. They have to have a treatment,” said Dora Castro-Ahillen, one of the Winfield hospital’s child life specialists. “But from my end, it’s important that a child always have the option to create something in whatever manner they see fit.”
In this instance, it was shoes.
Pediatric patients recently decorated more than 100 biodegradable shoe decals that were placed around the hospital’s campus to will lead the way to the hospital’s big event to show off its new patient pavilion.
Project Move will give area residents a chance to check out the new $210 million wing that will include 202 private patient rooms and is considered state-of-the art. The event starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 17, at the hospital and immediately follows the Winfield Run 5K to benefit the Winfield Historical Society.
The hospital event will include site tours, music, and art by local artists. Free exercise classes will be offered all day. Additionally, Chicago Bears greats Gary Fencik, Dan Hampton and Otis Wilson are scheduled to visit.
But as most visitors celebrate the hospital’s new wing, the shoe project will benefit a charity that collects and distributes medical equipment to those in need. One thousand pairs of sneakers will be available for attendees to design and decorate. The hospital then will donate the shoes to Medical Mission Outreach.
Also involved in the project were art students from Community High School in West Chicago. Hospital officials said they wanted to get the community involved in the event and they approached District 94 Superintendent Lalo Ponce.
“We have a lot of good friends and connections over there,” said Ponce, who added that participating was an easy decision. “It gives (our students) a venue for expression.”
Ponce said the activity also promotes civic activity.
“We want our kids to be connected to the community and the hospital has a presence in the community,” Ponce said.
The donation of the shoes to Medical Mission Outreach will to the work of art students and the pediatric patients, who range in age from 3 years old to teenagers, Castro-Ahillen said.
The work takes their mind off their ailments.
“It’s a way of being thought of as more than just a patient,” she said. “They are individuals and they include that into their creations.”
If you go
Winfield Run
When: 5K and 10K starts 8 a.m. Sunday, July 17
Where: Central DuPage Hospital, 25 N. Winfield Road
Why: Proceeds support the Winfield Historical Society
Cost: $30, $15 for runners 11 and younger
Register: signmeup.com or active.com
Community Day
When: 9 a.m. Sunday, July 17
Where: Central DuPage Hospital, 25 N. Winfield Road
Why: Celebrates new wing at Central DuPage Hospital
Cost: Free
Details: Includes visits from Bears greats Otis Wilson, Dan Hampton and Gary Fencik; music, food, local art, and tour of new CDH patient pavilion