Wearing PJs to support children battling cancer

Childcan employees showcasing their PJs as they support PJ day.

Spending the day in pajamas can sound amazing for some, but for others, it’s their only clothing option.

Children battling cancer spend many of their days in their pajamas and would give anything to be able to go out and wear normal clothes again. To support these brave kids and show them they’re not alone, Childcan ran their sixth-annual Childcan’s PJ Day on international Childhood Cancer Day, which was Saturday, Feb. 15.

Started back in 1974, Childcan is an organization that helps support families of children facing cancer. Through fundraising, Childcan is able to help kids and their families with unexpected expenses, provide an ear to listen, provide activities and offer necessary information for families coming to terms with their new reality.

“It’s very isolating, cancer treatment, especially the portion of their treatment that is spent in hospital,” said Childcan community engagement and communications specialist Amy Mathias. “Because it’s so incredibly isolating for the kids, for them to see that they’re surrounded by a community that loves them and supports them is just wonderful.”

As all children diagnosed with cancer at London Health Sciences Centre’s Children’s Hospital are referred to Childcan, the organization is able to support families from Windsor-Essex to Kitchener-Waterloo, all the way from the shores of Lake Erie north to Grey-Bruce, and beyond.

PJ Day started back in 2019 when workers at Childcan wanted to show support for the kids in a fun way that helped make them feel a sense of normalcy. Since the kids couldn’t get out of their pajamas, the workers decided to dress up in their own PJs, creating a fun day for the kids to help them get their minds off of the stresses they were facing.

“So many kids wear their pajamas while they’re going through treatment, and it’s one time to show solidarity with them and to show them that they’re not alone.” Mathias said.

Participating in PJ Day helps spread awareness of what Childcan does, the difficulties young cancer patients have to endure and it shows the kids there are hundreds of thousands of people who are supporting them. Individuals and organizations all around southwestern Ontario have been taking part in Childcan’s PJ Day, including companies like Libro Credit Union here in Stratford.

To learn more about Childcan, PJ Day, or to donate, visit Childcan’s website at childcan.com, or check out their social media @Childcan on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.