Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa Load Up on Halloween Fun During a Special Trick-or-Treat Parade

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Oct 31, 2018, 17:46 ET

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Princesses, Superheroes, video game characters and friendly monsters invaded the hallways of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa today. Some came on foot, others arrived in little red wagons and wheelchairs, and all were in search of Halloween goodies.

The holiday fun was part of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's annual Halloween parade, which is organized by the hospital's Child Life team.

Kids spending Halloween in the hospital loaded up on treats and fun during a trick-or-treat parade at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018.

Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa and their families celebrated Halloween by trick-or-treating throughout the hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018.

"Being in the hospital on a holiday is not ideal, especially at Halloween when many of our patients fear that they will miss out on this holiday filled with treats and fun," said Hadley Trull, child life supervisor at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. "We strive to create an unforgettable experience for our patients to ensure that they don't feel like they're missing out on the holiday fun."

During the event, costumed team members from throughout the hospital staffed more than 50 decorated tables as pediatric patients, joined by siblings and other family members, went trick-or-treating throughout the hospital hallways.

"Our team members work hard to provide an encouraging environment for our patients to dress up in fun costumes and feel good about themselves, regardless of what they may be going through medically," Trull adds. "This annual event helps to promote normalcy and adds some much needed distraction and fun to the hospital environment."

To see photos from the Halloween parade, visit St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Facebook page: Facebook.com/StJosephsChildrens.

About St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
As Tampa's only dedicated children's hospital, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is committed to providing everything needed for the health and well-being of children. Part of the BayCare Health System, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital provides more acute medical and surgical pediatric care than all other hospitals in Hillsborough County. From the tiniest baby to the high school quarterback, patients are cared for by doctors who specialize in treating children, in surroundings designed exclusively for kids.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.baycare.org.

SOURCE St. Joseph's Children's Hospital