Festival of Hope
5-min read | By: Neha Panda
It Takes a Village: CPALS 2024 Festival of Hope
Why the Festival?
The CPALS mission is to provide pediatric hematology-oncology patients and their families with companionship and support through arduous treatments, procedures, and hospital stays for blood diseases and cancers. Our 1:1 Pals embody this mission by accompanying their inpatient and outpatient pals through thick and thin. In parallel, our thriving member body raises funds and cultivates support for UNC Hospitals Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic (also known as the UNCH Pediatric Hem-Onc Clinic). Throughout the year, CPALS also coordinates community programming to bring light to patients’ days and provide a retreat from the tensions of treatment.
Our largest event takes form as the Festival of Hope: an entire day where patients, their families, and clinic staff convene at a brightly decorated, safe, and comfortable environment away from the stress of the hospital. At this fall festival, attendees can find community, try something new, and unwind. The program was initiated by a team of four CPALS undergraduates in 2022 through the Bryan Social Innovation Fellowship. Their mission was to let families
“take a break from the stress of treatment and connect with one another” and “[let] kids just be kids”
(CCPS). In the years since, the Festival has blossomed into an annual tradition between CPALS and the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic. The efforts of our partners, volunteers, and committee culminate in a chance for all ages and abilities to explore and have fun! Patients, families, and clinic staff participate in inclusive, relaxing activities, accompanied by a host of volunteers that work tirelessly throughout the year to transform the festival blueprints into reality.
A Tall Order
A laundry list of tasks prelude a successful Festival of Hope, and they keep the CPALS Festival of Hope Committee busy. This year, Prima Gurjar (class of 2025) served as our senior co-chair in partnership with Anish Krishnakumar (class of 2026). Starting in her freshman year, Prima supported the Festival of Hope as a committee member by conducting fundraisers and acquiring donors; last year, she transitioned to the position of co-chair, where she holds greater responsibility for making the experience possible. The chairs offered some insight regarding the mechanics of organizing an outstanding Festival of Hope.
Prima says the Festival of Hope mission is
“to provide a fun-filled space for patients and their families away from the stress of their treatment and the hospital.”
Committee members handle external relations: finding a venue to hold the festival and contacting partners who bring specialty stations to the event. The committee also keeps accessibility in mind when designing stations, offering choices for the varying age ranges and ability levels found among the Pediatric Hematology Oncology ward. Finally, the committee onboards our dedicated volunteers from CPALS who are excited to spend a day supporting patients and their families. Along with health and safety precautions, CPALS volunteers are taught to preserve a worry-free setting by avoiding stressful medical topics unless a parent chose to bring it up.
Highlights
This year’s festival included nearly fifteen stations. Along with games like cornhole, ring toss, and putt-putt, they offered a photo booth, science experiments with Magic of Science, and face painting. For more easygoing options, attendees could make crafts, fill in coloring pages, and relax with an adorable therapy dog named Cheese. Darth Vader, the Mandalorian, and other Star Wars characters made an appearance with the guest organization 501st Legion at Carolina, and the UNC chapter of A Moment of Magic hosted a meet-and-greet with patients’ favorite Disney princesses. Ride of Your Life arrived in sleek, stylish cars that excited attendees could interact with and take for an imaginary joyride. Thanks to the committee’s efforts to guarantee inclusivity, there was an activity that suited every child’s interests and afforded them a space to relax and enjoy themselves among family and friends.
Rameses also made a special guest appearance, and over twenty CPALS members devoted their Fall Break to bringing energy and support to the event. Each family was paired with a registered CPAL who accompanied their small group through rotations with each station. As she saw the smiles on families’ faces as they enjoyed pizza, snow cones, and community, Prima said it was
“truly rewarding”
to see the committee’s many months of effort culminate in a successful festival.
Looking to the Future
The CPALS annual Festival of Hope will be held once again next fall, sustaining the relationship between our volunteers and the patients we serve. Prima cites the essential role of volunteers in
“bringing the festival to life,” and she would “undoubtedly 100% recommend the Festival of Hope to CPALS members!”
If you are a CPALS member interested in supporting the Festival of Hope and bringing light and community into patients’ days, you are encouraged to apply for the Festival of Hope committee in early January. The committee looks for passion and innovative ideas to improve the event and uphold the meaningful role the Festival plays in patients’ treatment journeys. Serving as a committee member offers a chance to direct your goodwill toward a rewarding final product and create lasting memories for patients, families, clinic staff, and yourself. Apart from joining the committee, CPALS members are also welcome to volunteer during the festival itself as a station supervisor or family companion; keep an eye out for sign-ups and reminders early next Fall. 
The Festival of Hope is a testament to the encouragement, kindness, and community woven through the CPALS philosophy. Thanks to the essential efforts of our team, the Festival of Hope will continue drawing on the strength and support of CPALS members to relieve patients’ stress and replenish their joy.