The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) is coordinating a series of free events for patients, families and community members as part of Reimagine End of Life — a citywide event exploring big questions about life, death and remembrance. Reimagine Week, taking place October 27 to November 3, comprises more than 200 events all over the city, featuring people, organizations and institutions ranging from the arts to healthcare. Events include art shows, readings, documentary screenings and educational workshops, all designed to break down taboos and bring diverse communities together as we struggle to talk about death and remembrance.

“Usually when we talk about end of life issues, it is in the context of a stressful, life-threatening situation,” said Sarah Norris, M.D, MEd., director of Pediatric Palliative Care and the Quality in Life Team (QUILT), CHAM and assistant professor, Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “By participating in Reimagine Week we can have open and honest conversations about why we are here and how we want to be remembered when we are not.”

QUILT, the pediatric palliative care team at CHAM, works alongside families facing life-threatening and fatal illnesses. They provide support for families as they face complex medical decisions, uncertainty and heartbreak. The team also offers comprehensive pain support addressing the social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of each child and family.

“Many of the events we are hosting for Reimagine Week incorporate the theme of organ donation, an important and little discussed topic that we want the community to be educated about and consider before end of life issues arise,” said Dr. Norris.

The CHAM Reimagine Week events include:

Saturday, October 27: In the Montefiore Moses courtyard at 2:30pm we are creating an interactive art installation honoring children who have died by placing stars in their memory.  Together with Bronx artist Lady K-fever and the students of Academy of Mt. St. Ursula, we are celebrating children’s lives. To secure a ticket, click here..

Monday, October 29: We are partnering with the Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library, Connect Lives and Live On New York to host two special events in one day. From 3:30-4:30pm there will be a family story hour reading When Dinosaurs Die, A Guide to Understanding Death. Children and families often struggle for words and this book helps young readers learn that death is a natural part of life.

In the evening from 5:30-6:30pm we will be hosting a book discussion with the author about the moving story of Taylor Storch who at 13 years old died in a ski accident. Her parents wanted Taylor to live on through others as an organ donor. Join us in hearing more from Taylor’s mom Tara Storch. To secure a ticket for either of these events, click here.

Tuesday, October 30: We are collaborating with the students at Academy of Mt. St. Ursula all-women’s Catholic high school in an interactive educational event aimed at exploring culture, values and faith. We will work together to gain knowledge to make informed choices about organ donation as a potential way to “live on.” Event starts at 12pm at Academy of Mt. St. Ursula. To secure a ticket, click here.

Tuesday, October 30: Story Slam is being hosted at Albert Einstein College of Medicine - staff, faculty and the community will gather to share experiences of remembrance through organ donation. Do you have a story to tell? Drop in anytime between 6 – 7:30pm to join us on stage at Robbins Auditorium. In partnership with Live On New York. To secure a ticket, click here.

Thursday, November 1: We are partnering with the Kingsbridge branch of the New York Public Library, Connect Lives and Live On New York to host a family story hour at 10:30am, reading When Dinosaurs Die, A Guide to Understanding Death.  Children and families often struggle for words and this book helps young readers learn that death is a natural part of life. To secure a ticket, click here.

Thursday, November 1:  Join us for a special night with singer-songwriter Emily Cavanagh as she helps parents whose children have died share stories and turn them into the beginnings of a song. No experience is needed, only a desire to remember. Event starts at 6pm at CHAM’s Family Learning Place. To secure a ticket, click here...

For more information about Reimagine Week and the events sponsored by CHAM, click here. For more information about the overall Reimagine Week, event details and tickets, visit: www.letsreimagine.org/new-york.