The Grand Prairie Regional Hospital has officially brought back the clown car after a five-year hiatus. This custom-equipped vehicle travels up and down the hospital hallways, helping to alleviate fear and reduce stress for children who are undergoing medical treatments, procedures, or waiting for surgery. The car is equipped with an IV pole and two oxygen tanks, allowing young patients to enjoy a ride while still receiving medical care.
The clown car is part of the Grande Prairie Therapeutic Clown Program, where a specially trained professional works in healthcare settings to bring laughter, companionship, and joy to patients and their families.
Butterfly, the Therapeutic Clown at the hospital, expressed her excitement about having the new car to drive kids around after a long break.
“It has absolutely touched my heart to see how much people have come together to get this up and running. The car was a significant part of the old hospital, where we frequently took kids for rides.”
Currently, the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital does not have a child life specialist, meaning many activities are managed through the therapeutic clown program.
“It’s fantastic to see the clown car back in action; it’s such a wonderful feature of our hospital. It’s really unique—you don’t find this often, even in some of the larger facilities,” said Candice Edey, the senior operating officer of the hospital.
The new car was made possible by donors and community support.
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