Caroline: We work in pediatric hematology, but most of our time is spent working with our outpatient sickle cell population during their regular appointments. I love this because you begin seeing these kids at birth and until they’re adults, so you get to watch them grow up and get to know their families.

Jane: Working in the outpatient clinic, I love being an advocate for our patients. COVID-19 stopped a lot of things and changed life the way we knew it, but our patients still need us, maybe now more than ever.

Caroline: Our sickle cell kids have a disease that is not easy for the outside world to recognize because it’s a blood disorder, meaning you can’t tell by looking at them that they have sickle cell. Sometimes people misunderstand the degree of how this disease can affect their lives. You might not be able to see their pain, but they are certainly feeling it. 

Jane: The holidays are always a special time of year in the hospital, especially the spirit of giving to support our patient families. People are especially generous and empathetic to each other during this time, and I love seeing that. I also love seeing all the twinkling lights strung everywhere. They represent hope, and we always need to have hope.

Caroline: Each year, our team also participates in the Adopt-A-Family program that Social Work hosts to help provide gifts during the holidays to patients and families who may not have another way of receiving any presents. That is such a meaningful program to our families and kids. It's one example of how donations provide the hospital with resources to care for patient families beyond the physical diagnosis.