Valerie Cortez, 8, tries on a hat she decorated during the Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital 25th annual picnic at Clyde Park in Byron Center. Valerie's 11-year-old brother was treated for optic glioma, a form of glioma which affects the optic nerve. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Johanna Hiske, 3, receives a basket from Alison Kibler, event planner with The Bottomless Toy Chest, during a raffle at the 25th annual picnic. "I like your hat," Johanna said to Kibler. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elias Jose Estrella, 12, makes a silly face during the 25th annual picnic. Elias was treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lataevaya Pierre, 11, rests her head on 9-month-old Mistha Jackson while her mother, Widline, holds her. Mistha is being treated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare autoimmune disease. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Byron Township firefighter Rick Alberta shows Jude Vander Vennen, 3, and his brother Jackson, 5, different parts of a firetruck. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Johanna Hiske, 3, hugs her mother, Erin Hiske. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ashley Leslie, program director at The Bottomless Toy Chest stands near 31 donated toy baskets for a raffle at the 25th annual picnic. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kendall Mead, 12, plays a game during the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital 25th annual picnic at Clyde Park in Byron Center. Mead was treated for Evans syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Lilly Vanden Bosch, 10, holds a toy basket she won during a raffle from The Bottomless Toy Chest. Lilly is recovering from aplastic anemia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sophia Faustino, 6, smiles for a portrait as she wears a hat she decorated during the picnic. Sophia's 15-year-old brother, Sage, is being treated for hemophilia. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Julius and Widline Jackson hold their 9-month-old Mistha during the 25th annual picnic. Mistha is being treated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare autoimmune disease. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jackson, 5, left, Jude, 3, and their father, Bruce Vander Vennen, who is holding his youngest son Bennett, 2, pose for a photo in front of a fire truck at the 25th annual picnic. Bennett is being treated for a brain tumor. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Matt Robinson, 13, holds his raffle basket from The Bottomless Toy Chest. Matt was treated for Wilms' tumor and has been cancer free for nine years. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
During this annual picnic, families reconnect with others who have traveled similar roads.
This year, the 25th, picnic tables lined Clyde Park in Byron Center, Michigan, where people caught up with others and ate hamburgers, brats, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and other dishes.
Pediatric patients and family members enjoyed games, crafts and toured a firetruck with Byron Township firefighters.
The Bottomless Toy Chest, a non-profit organization that donates new toys, crafts and interactive games to hospitalized pediatric cancer patients, donated 31 gift baskets for a raffle that occurred during the picnic.
“Having the opportunity to give graciously to children in hospitals is the heart of our organization,” said Alison Kibler, an event planner with The Bottomless Toy Chest. “Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces make our days brighter and reminds us why we do what we do.”
Spectrum Health P.O.R.T. Program team member Erin Hiske enjoyed the picnic with her 3-year-old daughter, Johanna.
“My favorite part of the event is just watching all of the smiles on kids’ faces, whether it’s playing a game, making a craft or seeing their favorite nurse, doctor or other staff members again,” Hiske said. “Patient families and staff alike enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with one another. They have often been a part of each other’s lives through extensive periods, sometimes years, during treatment. So to have a fun opportunity to get together and reunite is really special.”