Marcio Malogolowkin, chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, received help during a ribbon cutting ceremony from two patients, 12-year-old Noah Chapman and 11-year-old Bentley Hansen, as he cut the ribbon earlier this year to a room filled with colorful art and activities.
The teen lounge has a PlayStation 5 video gaming console. Noah and Bentley sat together to check it out and played a Spiderman game.
“I just think it is a really cool place to come to, especially when you are healing,” Bentley said.
The teen lounge also includes an electronic Infinity Game Table, a book library, movie collection, art corner, and a computer for homework or connecting with friends and family.
“This is about the teenagers,” Malogolowkin said. “It is to support them through their health care journey. We cannot forget that they are children and adolescents and that they need to be stimulated and feel connected.”
Hospitalized young patients 11–18 years of age are eligible to use the room, with their doctor’s okay. Malogolowkin said when young patients feel good, they want to look forward to the future. The teen lounge offers distractions and keeps teenagers moving and looking forward to their bright futures.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend founded Teen Cancer America in 2012. An autographed electric guitar, signed by Daltrey and Townshend, is displayed in the new teen lounge.
