Kate Robarts' PJ Project (for IWK Emergency Dept)

My friends and I are fundraising for a project started by our friend, Katelyn Robarts, who lost her battle with Leukemia in 2010 at the age of fourteen. In 2009 Kate started the PJ Project that provides patients at the IWK with a new pair of PJs. During her treatment, Kate found that her favourite gift to receive was PJs, they always made her feel better and they were something different, something new. She came up with the idea to start a program to offer warmth, comfort and empathy to anyone who wears the PJs it provides.

Since 2010, Kate’s family and friends have been continuing the PJ Project in her memory. The Robarts family has continued the original branch of the project that provides PJs to the Oncology Unit at the IWK. About 10 years ago, Kate’s friends expanded the project to also provide PJs to anyone admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Department. Every Christmas, my friends and I get together to wrap up the PJs like Kate used to. It brings us all a special kind of happiness to spend time together while we continue this project in Kate's memory. Every year we deliver approximately 200 PJs in all sizes (from preemie to 3XL) to the IWK for any family that needs comfort.

Kate was a strong believer in the idea that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world and the PJ Project is a perfect example. Below I have included some messages from the staff at the IWK explaining the impact of the emergency branch of the PJ Project. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the project, we are so grateful for the support it has received. It means a lot to us!

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A message from Chantal Beaver, Child Life Specialist at the IWK

“Thank you so much to everyone who has made this pajama donation project the success it has been over the years! When Kate started it in 2009 for our oncology unit, a new comfy pair of pajamas was a welcomed gift to patients who found themselves on our unit. Today, because of the ongoing help from her schoolmates and her community, we are able to give a nice new, clean pair of pajamas to any patient who needs it! Kate’s little project has gone a long way”.

Messages from IWK Staff:

“In the Intensive Care Unit and inpatient surgical unit, I often work with kids and families who have been taken to the IWK as a result of an unexpected injury/accident. Often times these kids and families come from all over the Maritimes. Some have been transported by ambulance and others may have come with their child in the helicopter. They don’t have time to go home to pack anything they might need for the hospital, nor do they have any idea how long they will be at the IWK. Many of the kids can’t wear their damaged clothes they came in with. It is so nice to be able to change clothes and put on something clean and comfy. The PJs offer the kids privacy and something normal. Being able to offer both the children and their parents a new pair of PJs has been a lifesaver on many occasions.”

“There have been times when a patient is here for a long time, and their sibling finally gets to come for a visit, and we try to make it a fun atmosphere by giving both the patient and sibling a pair of pajamas for their sleepover.”

“In Day Surgery, there have been numerous times where we have used pajamas for patients post-operation due to post sedation ‘accidents’. They have made embarrassing situations for those patients into a positive situation with a new comfy pair of PJ’s to go home in.”