Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
The Disney Princesses play tea party with attendees of the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. More than 250 volunteers collaborated for the 27th annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Jacob and his mother, Robin Coutts learn how to operate an Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. The Coutts volunteered with The Berryville Baptist Rascals to put on a puppet show for the families. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Jennifer Campbell, daughter of retired Air Force Tech Sgt. Tom Campbell, hugs Batman during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. The 27th annual event was held for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center pediatric oncology patients and their families to celebrate the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Ali, daughter of U.S Navy Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 1st Class Leslie Trotta, has her face painted during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. PCFC is a non-profit organization and support group for families who are receiving treatment, or have previously received treatment, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Attendees of the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party watch the Berryville Baptist Rascals’ puppet show on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. The Rascals’ mission is to present programs with contemporary Christian, Sunday school, country and rock-and-roll music selections that share positive messages focusing on Christian values and kindness. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Bryce, son of Raquel L. Bates-Elazier, tries hitting his “aggressor” with a training baton during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. Every wing on JBA was represented with volunteers, a display or an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Kaitlyn, daughter of U.S. Army 1st. Sgt. Stormy Knowles, plays in a gurney during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. Knowles’ son was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2001 and received treatment through Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Jack, son of Lt. Commander Jennifer Sarchet, sits in the cock pit of a C-20B during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. The annual event is held for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center pediatric oncology patients and their families having to go through cancer treatment. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Attendees of the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party watch the Berryville Baptist Rascals’ puppet show on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. The Rascals’ mission is to present programs with contemporary Christian, Sunday school, country and rock-and-roll music selections that share positive messages focusing on Christian values and kindness. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Rocking around Hangar 3: A Happy Holiday
Karli, daughter of U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tom Manoin, plays around during the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 13, 2014. More than 250 volunteers collaborated together for the 27th annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
By Senior Airman Nesha Humes / Published Dec. 17, 2014
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.,
Joint Base Andrews hosted its 27th annual Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Holiday Party for military families battling cancer at Hangar 3, Dec. 13, 2014.
The bright and festive event was held for Walter Reed National Medical Center pediatric oncology patients and their families to celebrate the holiday season.
"The importance of this day, is for the patients not having to think about anything but being a kid," said Janet Grampp, the JBA Fisher House manager and coordinator of the event. "They don't have to think about IVs or chemo. For this snapshot in time, they are just kids, having a great time."
PCFC is a non-profit organization and support group for families who are receiving treatment, or have previously received treatment at Walter Reed. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and to provide support for their families.
"My favorite part of this event is always seeing the smile on the children's face as they're running around," said 1st Sgt. Stormy Knowles, Troop Command South Alpha Company. "A lot of times when it comes to childhood cancer, they don't get an opportunity to be a kid."
The PCFC Secretary, Knowles' son was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 2. "He is 15-years-old and doing very, very well," she said.
Knowles, the 2015 Ms. Virginia Woman United States, and three of her fellow queens from the Miss Woman United States Pageant organization, were amongst 250 military, Walter Reed staff and community members that volunteered for the event.
Batman, Disney Princesses, face painters, animal-balloon twisters, Santa Clause, Mrs. Clause and their elves were featured at the party. A buffet of food, colorful sugar cookies and sprinkled cupcakes lined the corner of the hangar.
"I think it's a fabulous event," U.S. Air Force Retired Maj. Gen. Scott Gray said. "I love the way it's grown. I love that we can do this for the families who have the challenges going on and bring a little of spirit in during Christmas time."
Agency 9 Dance Studio, The Berryville Baptist Rascals, and Chin Hamaya Culture Center provided entertainment for the PCFC families and volunteers.
"The volunteers are enthusiastic about this cause, and you can see that on full display," said Grampp.
Between volunteers, a display or an aircraft, every wing on JBA was represented at the party.
Ruby Markley, the PCFC President has been involved with the holiday party for eight years after her 11-months-old daughter was diagnosed at with acute myeloid leukemia.
Even though they aren't around the clinic as often as before, Markley says her favorite part of the annual party is catching up with the families and meeting the new ones.
"We try to stay involved and do as much as we can for of the families because we know what it's like," Markley said.
Approximately 110 children, 60 of which are patients, registered for the event.
"This took a lot of people and time," Grampp said. "Nobody dropped the ball, everybody came through and that's huge. It's so beautiful to see these people come together like this for the kids."
After 18 years of coordinating the holiday party Grampp said she plans to continue to take the reins.
"You see these kids and the joy this event brings them," Grampp said, "and that's when you're hooked. You're hooked! How can you not be?"