CLEVELAND – Chalk art adorned the sidewalks near UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland as hundreds of people gathered for “Colors for Colette” on Saturday.
The annual event honors the life of Colette Piazza, who spent most of her 21-month life battling a malignant brain tumor. With thousands of children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year, Colette’s mother, Katlyn Piazza, said the event is about remembering the past and building a better future.
“Colette was a sweet, strong little girl,” she said. “She was diagnosed when she was 10 weeks old and from then on she fought cancer.”
Piazza said the event began four years ago, just before Colette’s second birthday.
“My son suggested we decorate our sidewalk with chalk so she would have a birthday card that she could see from heaven,” Piazza said.
Today, children and families make crafts, compete in games and even “dunk the doctor” to raise funds for health workers’ efforts to find cures.
“Every year we strive to raise money for childhood cancer treatment and research, and we have been able to increase the amount we raise each year,” she said.
Jennifer Menchen, a pediatric nurse at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, said a portion of the proceeds also go to the pediatric oncology unit, where many of the cancer patients are housed.
“We then use the money to buy things we need throughout the year: toys for the children, sometimes baby mobiles or bouncy seats, things for the parents, anything we can do and buy to care for the patients and their families,” she said.
Menchen said she was one of the nurses who cared for Colette and she developed a strong bond with Colette during her long stay.
“She was an incredible, incredible girl,” she said. “She really touched us up there… it’s just beautiful to be a part of that and continue to raise awareness for childhood cancer and my unit.”
Piazza said she hopes Colette’s story can provide comfort and hope to other children and families going through a similar struggle.
“She was a quiet fighter and she was so brave,” Piazza said. “And we are so grateful that her life is now giving life to so many others, to the legacy that she left behind.”
