Kids Alive! program celebrates end of year amid COVID-19

By Claire Johnston, Licensed Clinical Social Worker who oversees Kids Alive!, the program from Porter Adventist Hospital that provides support for children, ages 6-16, of parents with cancer:

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it for everyone, but maybe most significantly, for our kids. As a result of the pandemic, Kids Alive! had to cancel the annual overnight retreat in March, and move our April and May groups to meet virtually. We always knew how resilient the kids of Kids Alive! were, but their commitment to the group despite these changes has been astounding.

Thus, the Kids Alive! team knew that we needed to make our final group extra special, despite the circumstances. Partnering with Minuteman Press and The Porter Foundation, we created one-of-a-kind “You are a Hero!” star-shaped yard signs that were delivered to 21 kids throughout the greater Denver Metro area. From Boulder down to Castle Rock, and Morrison to Commerce City, our dedicated volunteers delivered these hero-themed surprises, along with a goody bag and personalized note, as a reminder that they truly are the Hero in their journey, as the Kids Alive! curriculum teaches throughout the year.

The surprise was meaningful to both the kids and their parents, who expressed their gratitude over and over again to the Kids Alive! team for supporting their children in these uncertain times. We wrapped up our year with a virtual group on May 9th, where the kids showed fun photos of their signs and shared what it means to be a Hero in their story of their parent’s cancer. The Kids Alive! team looks forward to our 2020-2021 year, hoping to recruit even more families and make a difference in the lives of children with parents living with cancer.

Kids Alive! is a free program made possible by the generosity of community donors, Porter Hospital and the Porter Hospital Foundation.
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