NYU Langone Cancer Center hosts Halloween party for pediatric patients

A much-needed vibe check

For the kiddos fighting battles at the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola, the hospital rooms were swapped for a conference room decked out with tunes and major Halloween energy. It’s the annual costume and pizza party, and honestly, it’s giving pure joy. The event, which has been running since 2012, is all about letting these families press pause on the heavy stuff and just hang out with people who get it.

“Really, it’s kind of an opportunity for children and families to kind of experience some joy and normalcy,” said Kim Krupa, the center’s certified child life specialist. “And provide connection to other families during what can often be very challenging times.”

Parents even got in on the bit, rocking costumes like "Paw Patrol" characters and Woody from Toy Story. Spirit Halloween chipped in too, donating gear for the kids to wear at the party and for the center's upcoming room-to-room trick-or-treating parade later this month.

Big wins for the fams

For three-year-old Declan Maudsley, who is fighting osteosarcoma, the party was a massive milestone. His mom, Thalia, shared that it was his first time out since his diagnosis—no cap, they haven’t been anywhere except the hospital. Declan just wrapped up chemo and is prepping for his fourth birthday, and his family is already planning to go as a hot dog (Declan), ketchup, and mustard.

It’s also been a huge year for nine-year-old Vincent Aglio. After years of attending these parties while battling leukemia, his mom, Gina, says the cancer is now in remission. She says it’s lowkey bittersweet to graduate from the party circuit, but the community they found here is something the family will keep with them.

Why it matters

When you’re dealing with something as tough as a cancer diagnosis, the small stuff—like picking out a costume or eating pizza with your friends—really hits different. This party reminds us that even when the vibes are off, building a community can make a world of difference for families going through the hardest moments of their lives.