Heroic window washing effort brings smiles to the faces of ACH patients

Super window washers at ACH Superheroes washed the windows of the Alberta Children’s Hospital to the delight of patients and their families. Kevin Fleming reports.

A team of grime-fighters took to the roof of the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Thursday to help brighten the day of families facing medical concerns.

Children inside the hospital pressed their face to the windows while others watched from the courtyard below as Spiderman, Rocket Raccoon, the Incredible Hulk, Cyclops, Ironman and Captain America swung along the building’s exterior.

“We just sent out the word that we need our windows washed and here they are,” smiled Margaret Fullerton, senior operating officer for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. “We’re just thrilled that they’ve come.”

Coriena Dixon, who was at the hospital with her son Journey, said the superheroes were a welcome addition to a difficult day.

“We’re going to be here all day because he actually gets three treatments in one day in the dayroom,” explained Coriena. “He gets a blood transfusion, he gets IVIG for his immune system and he also gets pentamidine for his immune system so it’s going to be a really long day for him.”

“To be able to just come out, even for a couple of minutes, to take a look at some of his favourite superheroes is going to cheer him up. I’m sure he’ll be talking about it all day and probably for the next week.”

Dennis Rempel watched the window washing alongside his two-year-old son Grayson.

“It’s really nice,” said Dennis. “I mean they could just wash the windows but they do it (in a way) to bring joy and happiness.”

“(Grayson has) been in for a little over two months now so it’s nice to be able to just get out and do something other than be in the hospital.”

Once the team had completed their window cleaning duty, the superheroes spent time signing autographs for the children and posing for photographs with families.

“It’s not about us. It’s about the kids,” said Spiderman. “They’re going through some hard times. It’s just nice to have some fun at work and show them a good time.”

“They’re good kids. It’s nice to see some smiles.”

This is the second year the superhero window washing squad surprised the patients of the Alberta Children’s Hospital.