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Alabama’s real-life heroes became superheroes at children’s hospital

Video above: The Mobile Police Department SWAT performed “Operation Superhero” for the real heroes – child cancer survivors. The event was held on Sept. 30, 2015 at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

MOBILE, Ala. – Some of Alabama’s everyday heroes transformed into superheroes Wednesday for a noble cause: honoring children cancer survivors in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Mobile Police Department SWAT team dressed up as superheroes and rappelled down the side of the building at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital on Wednesday for “Operation Superhero,” an event where the heroic SWAT officers presented certificates to other heroes – children who had won their battles with cancer.

Captain Roy Hodge of the Mobile Police Department Special Operations Section directed “Operation Superhero” because he believes that an event of this magnitude will honor the real superheroes and encourage the brave children who have fought and are still fighting cancer.

Which, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, is about 15,780 children under the age of 21 every year. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15.

Nine child cancer-survivors were honored on Wednesday, when each child was presented with a gift, certificate and high-fives by the team of superheroes. The children were called to the front for a chance to “ring the bell” to symbolize that they had won their battle with cancer.

Mobile SWAT Superhero
The Mobile Police Department SWAT performed Operation Superhero for the real heroes — child cancer survivors. (c/o Mobile Police Department flickr)

“This ceremony gives us an opportunity to celebrate our patients who have been through so much,” said Kim Thompson-Yates, director of the Child Life Program at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “It’s so important that we recognize those who have conquered cancer.”

The City of Mobile also posted a photo of the event on Wednesday to Facebook, with the caption, “Our SWAT team are police officers by day, super heroes by night!”


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