From Slime to Smiles: Ty’s Ghostbuster Surprise
Ty was counting down the days to this 5th birthday. But, just 10 days before, his entire world changed in an instant.
Ty was diagnosed with high-risk stage 4 neuroblastoma.
“We started off his cancer journey locked in a hospital room for three months. I stayed by his side 24/7,” recalls Ty’s mom, Robyn.
Over time, Ty was in remission. Two years later, he was told what no child should ever hear – his cancer came back.
Every three to four weeks, he attends outpatient appointments. Every six months, he gets on a 4-hour flight from his home in Colorado to New York to receive a special vaccine.
Being a constant visitor at the hospital means his day-to-day life looks different than his peers. “Ty has better relationships with adults than other kids,” says Robyn, “It's definitely not the normal childhood experience."
Still, Ty has been able to have more moments of normalcy compared to when he was first diagnosed. “The relapse was better in that we got to go outside on and off,” says Robyn. During these times, Ty gets to enjoy fun and entertainment, like watching movies. One movie he really loves is “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”, with his favorite characters being the mini puffs!
Comfort in the Unexpected
Still, special surprises at the hospital help Ty experience the joys of childhood. One day last March, Ty was going through his usual routine at the hospital. He had just finished getting scans and was resting in his room before his next one, when out of the blue, the Colorado Ghostbusters appeared!
Suited up in their Ghostbusters costumes, they made purple slime with Ty and gifted him posters and his very own Starlight Ghostbusters-themed Hospital Gown. With his gown on, Ty transformed into a Ghostbuster himself.
Busting Boredom
Ty’s fun immersed as a Ghostbuster gave him joy that made time go faster. Robyn recalls, “This visit made a very long day at the hospital faster, easier, happier, and much more positive than our other appointments.”
When kids can transform into their favorite characters in a Starlight gown, they find a deep comfort and sense of normalcy. More than that, this normalcy reminds them and those around them that they are first and foremost kids.
Community support is crucial to provide resources like Starlight Hospital Gowns to kids. The Colorado Ghostbusters, along with other Ghostbusters fan groups, have fundraised over $40,000 to distribute Starlight Ghostbusters-themed gowns to hospitalized kids across the country.
Robyn shares how the impact of seeing Ty’s happiness because of the Ghostbusters:
“It meant so much to me as a mom. It was amazing to see such a huge group of people take the time out of their days to show how much they care and how much they enjoyed making everyone’s day brighter!”
- Robyn, Ty's Mom
Our work is not done. There are millions of kids like Ty who are in need of comfort and normalcy to just be a kid.
They need your help. You can be their hero and give them the support they need.
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