Cancer Patients at Mott Children’s Hospital Take Part in Heartwarming Parade Through Hospital Halls

Young patients watched in wonder as a special parade wound its way through C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. Medical staff joined with families and therapy pets like Dash the dog to bring cheer to kids battling cancer.

"When she saw Dash open the parade, she was so excited," said Cassandra Ginopolis, according to WXYZ.

Storybook characters, upbeat tunes, and gentle therapy dogs filled the halls. The event gave kids a bright spot amid their medical care.

The celebration drew patients big and small. Twenty-one-year-old Molly Felty switched her medical tests to join in. "I had my biopsy scheduled earlier, so I could be part of the parade and I'm glad I did that," she said.

The event struck close to home for nurse Vanessa Shamany-Fakhoury, whose child fights cancer too. "It just hit differently as a pediatric nurse at Mott to now be the mom walking these halls," she shared.

Families felt wrapped in care and kindness. "To see the support from everybody here, not just at Mott but the community and the teams and the school, is so special . . . It gives us so much hope to know that we're not fighting this alone," Cassandra said.

Michigan Health plans these bright moments to lift spirits during tough times. "Going through this journey can be very lonely, so when you have these moments where it's recognized, it means a lot and it brings joy and smiles," Shamany-Fakhoury reflected.