Doing the minimum of their job description is not in this team's vocabulary. Having a child with cancer can be one of the most difficult challenges many families experience. The KU Cancer Center radiation oncology clinic is responsible for the radiation needs of children all over the metro as well as the country.

Due to the complexity of the cases and precision of the machines, patients must be still during treatment to deliver the appropriate radiation dose. Because of this, many pediatric patients must be put under anesthesia. The efforts this team has put forth have reduced the need for sedation in many of these patients, decreasing the short- and long-term side effects that come with daily anesthesia. Children as young as 4 have been able to complete 30-45-minute treatments without sedation, all thanks to the effort this pediatric team puts in every day.

All pediatric patients are celebrated when they have completed radiation. This has ranged from getting the entire department to wear funny hats for a bell ringing, all the way to bringing a dinosaur puppeteer into the department for an end-of-treatment party. The love these nurses have for their patients can only be described as infectious, even in grief.

The unit was blessed to care for a little boy with a twin brother who would accompany him to daily treatments. They were the orneriest duo, running through the nursing station with fart guns, wreaking havoc riding around on a toy land rover, and always laughing with the nursing staff. Shortly after completing radiation therapy, this patient transitioned to hospice. With the rapid decline, the team quickly got together to bring Baby Jay to the department. The family made the drive from Harrisonville to meet his favorite mascot and see his favorite nursing team one last time.

It is incredible to watch them work together to care for these children, no matter the circumstance. They make a difference in the lives of our patients and families.