The Washington Capitals Join Pediatric Patients for Holiday Fun

(Washington, D.C.,) - The Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals lifted holiday spirits during the team’s annual December visit to patients at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

The team, alongside mascot Slapshot, arrived by bus to meet children and families, including those spending the holidays in the hospital’s pediatric inpatient units. The Caps also played games, signed autographs and created artwork with families gathered inside the Lombardi Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

“Days like today, when you can have the entire Washington Capitals hockey team visit, provide such an incredible and necessary distraction from illness,” said Laurie Strongin, CEO of the Hope for Henry Foundation.

Strongin started the foundation 15 years ago after her son, Henry, was treated at MedStar Georgetown. This year, Hope for Henry provided Stanley Cup Championship gear like tote bags, pennants, apparel and more to make sure no child left the party empty handed.

Elsewhere in the clinic, players went from the ice to the icing while helping children decorate a colorful gingerbread house. It was just one of the art projects organized by Tracy’s Kids, a non-profit art therapy program for children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.

Families also enjoyed cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake and participated with Caps players in Flashes of Hope, a photography project that honors patients and raises money for pediatric cancer research.

MedStar Health serves as the Official Medical Provider of the Washington Capitals.