10/30/2025
Being stuck in the hospital is often a scary experience, and even scarier for children who face chronic illness, disease and other injuries. To make the hospital experience a bit less scary for those kids, Banner Children’s at Desert Medical Center recently partnered with Spirit Halloween retail stores to bring them a fun-filled, interactive experience ahead of Halloween.
Spirit of Children, a program organized by Spirit Halloween across the country, helps to bring Halloween activities and costumes for pediatric patients who may not otherwise be able to celebrate a traditional Halloween. During the Oct. 15 party at Banner Children’s at Desert, young patients picked out costumes, painted decorative pumpkins, received festive temporary tattoos and played games with hospital team members and Spirit Halloween staff.
“Spirit of Children is so special because we get to bring smiles to the faces of these young patients, even when they might be stuck in the hospital during holidays like Halloween,” said Sue Eaton, associate director of the child life department at Banner Children’s at Desert. “We’re always grateful to be able to partner with Spirit Halloween, especially considering their extensive awareness and fundraising efforts for children’s hospitals like ours.”
The partnership between Spirit of Children and pediatric hospitals like Banner Children’s is rooted in a shared commitment to local communities. Every dollar raised in local stores stays local, with 100% of funds going directly toward supporting each partner hospital’s child life department and the children they serve.
To date, the Spirit of Children program has raised $1,268,873 for Banner Children’s at Desert. Funds raised go to the child life department, which provides developmental, educational, and therapeutic support for children undergoing medical treatment. Halloween shoppers can donate money at local Spirit Halloween stores, where 100% of the contributions will benefit local child life departments.
