St. Jude patients go “off to the lab”

Photography by Jere Parobek and Justin Veneman



During National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 18 through 24), the Department of Pathology hosted various activities to promote the laboratory profession. On April 21, patients were invited to participate in a fun-filled craft project to help them understand the different blood cells and their functions.

During National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week at St. Jude, laboratory professionals had "dress-up" days. The day of the patient event was superheroes/villains day. Dressed as costumed characters, laboratory professionals helped patients create the five major blood cells—neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil—using craft foam. Each patient was given a lab kit. Since "safety first" is a motto in any laboratory, patients were allowed to choose a pair of colorful safety goggles to wear. Laboratory employees also handed out coloring/activity books to the patients that explained what happens in the laboratory.

In its second year, the lab activity allowed patients and their families to learn terms like “absolute neutrophil count” and “lymphocyte.” The event provided the laboratory professionals the opportunity to interact with the patients, provide education to both the patients and their families, and answer any laboratory-related questions. The patients kept their completed projects and safety goggles to show to their classmates and siblings.