Superhero Week invades Lurie Children's Hospital

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Batman, Superman, Spiderman and other superheroes visited patients Tuesday at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

The special appearances were part of the hospital's Superhero Week, which aims to honor the superhero spirit of the patients and families. For just a while, the young patients forgot about their medical treatments and celebrated their own superhero strength.

"Superhero Week is when kids get be kids in a scary unnatural environment called the hospital," said Katelyn Zilles, a child life specialist at Lurie.

The superheroes posed for photos and sat down for drawing with the children.

Tony, age 12, spent the last three years at Lurie undergoing radiation, but on Tuesday, it was all about Batman because "I've never met Batman before."

Tony's mom, Sindy Qusad, said it was "very special."

Jaheim, who just underwent a heart procedure and is now waiting for a transplant, said he likes superheroes because "they're strong."

But to his dad, Michael Whigham, Jaheim is the one with super strength.

"This is the superhero, he's the one keeps me going everyday as we wait," Whigham said.

Lurie has all kinds of other activities set up for this week for the hospital-wide celebration.

"Some are here for a lengthy amount of time, some are here for a procedure but they're all really showing their strength to get through it," Zilles said.