Creating community around cancer with the Rachel Lynn Henley Foundation

It’s a carefree kind of chaos on a summer afternoon at Jefferson Park as squealing kids with Super Soakers dart out from behind trees, running circles around adults. The children’s families, and the families of their care teams, enjoy barbecue and watch from a distance as the youngsters douse the adults in an ultimate water blaster showdown.

It’s a welcome opportunity to enjoy one of the last warm days of the season without thinking about visits to the doctor.

Outside the park, these families and providers play on the same team, battling cancer and blood diseases together. Though these families are among the power users, or frequent flyers, at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s, the hundreds of doctor’s visits, tests and procedures aren’t what define them.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity to let kids be kids in the midst of their cancer treatment or lifelong hematologic care,” says Kristen Bishop, MS, CCLS, senior child life specialist. “Part of my job is to normalize and encourage play opportunities as it is vital to learning, growing and healing for both kids and adults. Getting to run around with your doctors and nurses and medical team is a great way to engage in play. Our staff enjoys seeing kids and families outside of the walls of the hospital, and everyone benefits from a fun summer activity together.”

Building on local connections

Put on in partnership with the Rachel Lynn Henley Foundation, Mary Bridge Children’s annual Hematology-Oncology Water Blaster Party marks the end of summer. It memorializes Rachel Lynn Henley, whose battle with cancer ended in 2015, and her immortal mission to give back to those who supported her during her fight.

That same year, the foundation connected with Mary Bridge Children’s with the simple idea of hosting a craft activity in the hematology and oncology play area.

“Over the years, the ways the Rachel Lynn Henley Foundation supports our patients, families and clinic team has grown exponentially,” says Bishop. “While our clinic has hosted the Water Blaster Party for over 20 years, their team has brought in more fun activities — the dunk tank, lawn games and craft activities.”

Today, Mary Henley, the foundation’s president and Rachel’s mom, continues to bring fun for families as they create new memories, connecting with the care teams that supported them during the darkest days of their lives.

“It makes our hearts happy — it’s one of our favorite events of the year,” says Henley. “We love having the chance to get to know the families a bit more in this fun environment and to see the joy and smiles as the kids play with us and with their doctors, nurses and other caregivers.”

Even the traditional barbecue dinner, generously donated every year by Brank’s BBQ, has a deep connection to this community. It’s a way for the Sumner-based restaurant to give back to families who have been touched by cancer, just as the Brank family was several years ago.

Making bright new memories

Mary Bridge Children’s oncology patients Aile and Nohea have both entered the maintenance phase of their treatment plans — a less intense stage following active care — yet they still find comfort in the familiar faces of their care team.

In a playful show of solidarity and vulnerability, oncologists and staff members take turns perching themselves atop the dunk tank, ready to be sent plunging into the water below. Aile, Nohea, and others  line up, eager to prescribe their caregivers a splash in return for all the care they’ve received.

It’s a reminder that no one must go through the ups and downs of treatment alone.

Now that Aile is in remission, she can finally take a long-awaited family trip to visit relatives overseas. Nohea can now accompany her sister on playdates without risking infection exposure, something that wouldn’t have been possible a year ago.

Their progress is a slam dunk.