DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A hospital stay can be a terrifying experience for a child. According to the non-profit organization, Ryan's Case for Smiles, 20% of children who survive cancer meet the full clinical diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). That's why Case for Smiles has made an effort to relieve stress for children through specialized pillowcases.
On Thursday, the organization delivered its ceremonial one millionth pillowcase to the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The non-profit has delivered more than a million cases across the country to hospitals and child life programs and now it's celebrating with special deliveries like the one it made at Hershey.
Each pillowcase is crafted with designs and/or bright prints in the hopes of helping kids heal and making them feel more comfortable in the hospital.
"Pillowcases are awesome," Child Life Support Associate Sarah Miller said. "So many of the kids save them and keep them. They just really do make it feel homey. They bring them back in if they're going to be here for awhile, they're just a great, great thing. Pillowcases are awesome. The parents, the patients everyone loves them."